Easton, Pa. (Sep. 6, 2019) --- The Delaware State volleyball team fell to Manhattan (3-0) and Lafayette (3-1) on the opening day of the Crosstown Tournament, hosted by Lafayette and Lehigh universities. The Hornets got off to a slow start vs. Manhattan, dropping the first set 25-10. The Hornets were much more competitive the rest of the match, falling 27-25 in the set two and 25-22 I the third.
Anadys Valentin (fr.) was tops on the team with eight kills and four digs, while Jelena Dukic (jr.) led all players with 10 assists in the Manhattan contest.
In the second set, the Hornets trailed 8-3 and 15-10 before bouncing back. DSU scored eight of the next 11 points, and tied the set at 18-18 on a kill by Valentin. After falling behind 20-19, the Hornets scored the next three points, and pulled ahead 22-20 on an attack error by the Jaspers.
Delaware State trailed 25-24, but stayed alive on another Manhattan error. The Jaspers scored the last two points of the set to claim the victory.
In the third set, the Hornets again fell behind early before a late rally. After trailing 13-4, Delaware State scored 14 of the next 19 points to pull even. DSU stayed the set at 18-18 on a kill by Sydney Armbrister. The score was also tied at 19 and 20, but Manhattan scored five of the last seven points to take the set and match.
In the Lafayette contest, Ryanne Burnett (fr.) had an impressive performance for the Hornets, topping all players with a season-high 19 kills, while adding five digs and two blocks. Valentin tallied 12 kills, while Sydney Lewis (fr.) had five kills and four solo blocks in the match.
Delaware State dropped the first set 25-15, but bounced back to win set two 25-19. After surrendering the first point, the Hornets never trailed in the second set. DSU had 13 kills and just five errors on 29 attempts for a .276 attack percentage in set two.
Lafayette battled back to win and third and fourth sets by 27-25 scores to take the match.
The Hornets led by as many as seven points in the fourth set before the Leopards roared back.
Delaware State will wrap up the tournament with a match against co-host Lehigh on Saturday at noon in Bethlehem, Pa.
