The Delaware State Lady Hornets advanced to championship game with a 3-1 win over the defending MEAC Champion Florida A&M Lady Rattlers in the 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Volleyball Championship Tournament at the Physical Education Complex on the campus of Coppin State University.

Florida A&M (12-14) dominated the first set, scoring eight straight points. Delaware State (18-11) earned its first point on an attack error by FAMU's Lorrin Rucker. The Lady Rattlers scored their next two points on a service ace by libero Susan Egoavil and a kill by freshman Katherine Huanec to continue their lead at 11-1.

The Lady Hornets responded slowly, while FAMU took control with a 24-9 lead. A DSU kill from Megan McDonald followed by a kill by FAMU's Maria Ceccarelli ended the first set 24-10.

Delaware State responded in set two and the two teams traded points back and forth. Up 23-21, the Lady Rattlers scored on a kill by Ceccarelli. DSU responded with a kill by Erica Tajchman. A ball handling error by FAMU's Diana Gonzalez earned DSU the 25-22 win and evened the match at one set apiece.

Delaware State won the third set 25-17 and took the 2-1 lead heading into set four. Florida A&M tried to rally in the fourth and final set.  With the set tied at 23-all a kill by DSU's Jessica Croucher and FAMU attack error ended the match at 25-23.

DSU was led by Croucher who posted 17 kills. Sonja Banicevic aided the Lady Hornets defensively with 24 digs.

Florida A&M has three players in double figures with Katherine Huanec leading the way with 18 kills. Lorin Rucker and Pamela Barerra added 11 and 10 kills, respectively.

With the win DSU will make its first championship appearance since the 1986 season when they lost to Florida A&M 3-0. The Lady Rattlers, who won nine consecutive MEAC volleyball titles, will be absent from a championship final for the first time since the 1998 season. 

The 2010 MEAC Volleyball Championship finale will begin tomorrow at Noon. The match will be video streamed live for free on www.MEACsport.com.

Admission for the championship tournament is $5 for adults and $3 for students, children under the age of 11, and senior citizens. Tickets are available at Coppin State's Physical Education Complex the day of the event.

For more information on MEAC volleyball or other sponsored sports, log on to www.MEACsports.com.