Volleyball | 11/23/2024 2:31:54 AM

DOVER, Del., Nov. 22, 2024 - The No. 3 Hornets of Delaware State defeated the No. 6 Eagles of North Carolina Central in four sets to advance to the semifinal round of the 2024 MEAC Volleyball Tournament. 

Delaware State's Gerren Tomlin led all players with 17 kills and 17 digs to match while Valeria Otero added 14 kills and 10 digs. Naz Tuncay and Paige Ahakuelo shared the setting responsibilities recording 28 and 18 respectively. 

Tayah Little registered 14 kills to lead the Eagles while Kamren Harper and Kayden Cupid added 11 digs apeice. Bella Dearinger contributed 34 assists and 15 digs. 

After leading 5-3 early in the set, N.C. Central took an 11-8 lead following an attack error from Gerren Tomlin. The Hornets battled back to tie the score at 14 all causing a back-and-forth contest to ensue. The score tied seven times, last at 24 all, before N.C. Central put together three points to close out the set winning 26-24.

Delaware State came out in set two taking an early 10-4 lead. The Eagles pulled within two points, 12-10, before the Hornets went on a 5-1 run to pull ahead by six, 17-11. DSU closed out set two on an 8-4 run to win 25-15.

Set three began with the teams trading points and sitting tied at 13 all after the early serves. Delaware State opened up a four-point lead, 18-14, following three consecutive kills. The teams traded points back and forth until the Hornets scored three in a row going up by six, 24-18. After losing two set points, the Hornets scored on a block by Hanah Sanders for the win. 

Set four opened with DSU taking a 4-1 lead before NCCU came back to even things up. The Hornets pulled ahead, 9-6, but three consecutive points for the Eagles knotted the score again. Delaware State went on a 7-1 run to go up 16-10 but an 11-5 rally by N.C. Central tied the score at 21 all. DSU closed out the set on a 4-2 run to win 25-23 and take the match in four sets. 

Delaware State will face No. 2 Coppin State in the semifinals at 8:30 pm.