Courtesy of Delaware State Athletic Media Relations


Box Score


NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 4, 2021 -- Valeria Otero had 14 kills and 10 digs, and Mayah Ngundam posted 11 kills to lead visiting Delaware State to a 3-1 volleyball win over Norfolk State on Thursday.

The Hornets won their second straight match to improve to 2-1 this season, while the Spartans dropped their second in a row  to fall to 1-2.

Delaware State has won two of its first three matches for the first time since 2010. That season, the Hornets defeated Gardner-Webb and Charleston Southern following a season-opening loss.

Delaware State won the first set 25-20 and opened up a 2-0 lead in the match with a 25-17 victory in set two. Norfolk State stayed alive in the contest by posting a 25-19 win in the third set. The Hornets took set four 25-21 to seal the win.

Jasmal Cruz led three Hornets with double-figures in digs with 14, while Kristi Gomez posted 10 to tie Otero for second on the team in the match Jelena Dukic led Delaware State with 23 assists, while also contributing eight digs in the contest.

Alayna Lacy tallied 19 helpers and six digs.

In the opening set, the score was 11-11 before the Hornets scored five of the next six points to open up a 16-12 lead.  DSU held its biggest lead in the set at 24-19. The Hornets scored the set winning point on a kill by Otero.

Delaware led 5-0 and 10-2 and never trailed in the in the second set. Ngundam had three kills, while Gomez, Otero and Alondra Maldonado recorded two each in set two.

The Hornets have won the first two sets in each of their three matches this season.

The score was tied nine times in the fourth set, the last at 21-21. Delaware State scored the last four points in the set, including the match winner on a kill by Gomez off a feed from Otero.

Delaware State recorded a .192 hitting percentage in the match, collecting 48 kills and 23 errors on 130 attacks. Norfolk State had 32 kills and 24 miscues on 126 attempts for a .063 percentage.

The Hornets won the digs battle 62-50, and tallied 47 assists compared to 29 for the Spartans.