Box Score 
NEWARK, Del. – Delaware senior Katie Dennehy gave Virginia
Commonwealth University all it could handle, blasting 19 kills to
lead the Blue Hens to a 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-16) victory at Barb
Viera Court Friday night.
VCU had hoped to replicate its stunning victory at Delaware a
year ago, a 3-2 triumph in Newark that paved the way for the
Rams' Colonial Athletic Association championship. However,
Dennehy had other ideas, hitting .531 for the CAA preseason
favorites.
Sophomore Kristin Boyd (Wilmington, N.C.) sparked
the Rams with nine kills, while sophomore libero Marisa Low
(Carlsbad, Calif.) (pictured, right) recorded 18 digs for
the second straight match.
VCU (4-16, 2-2 CAA) jumped out to a 16-11 advantage in the opening
set before Delaware (14-5, 3-1 CAA) awoke. The Blue Hens used an
8-2 burst, which included two kills from Alissa Alker, as well as a
kill and ace by Kim Stewart, to knot the frame at 19-19. Delaware
moved ahead for good a short time later when a service ace by Jess
Chason and a kill from Karina Evans made it 22-20.
The second set was a barnburner, featuring 13 ties and seven lead
changes. The Rams led 20-16 and 23-22, only to watch Delaware
rally. Dennehy and Alker sandwiched kills around a VCU hitting
error as the Blue Hens scored the final three points in a 25-23
victory.
Delaware outhit VCU by a slim, .272 to .270 margin, but the
'Hens owned a 10-1 advantage in service aces.
Seniors Mariel Frey (Lititz, Pa.) and
Kelsie Clegg (Boise, Idaho) combined for eight
blocks and registered six kills apiece for the Rams.
Stewart fired nine kills and Alker chipped in with eight for
Delaware.
VCU returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 10 when it takes on Towson in
a CAA road contest at 1 p.m. in Towson, Md.
