By Felipe Fontes -- STAFF WRITER
The Hofstra volleyball team picked up its third conference win on Sunday afternoon when they traveled to the University of Delaware and took care of the Blue Hens quite handedly in the four-set affair.
Hofstra won three of the four sets by scores of 25-12, 25-15 and 25-15, while dropping the second set 19-25.
The disparity on the scoreboard can be attributed to the discrepancy in attack percentages between the two teams, as Hofstra hit .292 compared to Delaware’s mere .074.
The Pride displayed a solid offensive showing, with Michela Rucli’s 12 kills and four blocks leading the way.
Ivania Ortiz complimented Rucli’s 12 kills with 12 herself, while Laura Masciullo picked up eight in the win.
The catalyst in this potent attack was Luisa Sydlik, who posted 39 assists to bring her CAA-leading season total to 737.
Although usually a vocal leader of the team, Nanishka Perez led the team in another way – setting a career high in the game by totaling five service aces.
Perez’s total was four more than Delaware had as a team, as Maria Bellinger got the Blue Hens’ sole ace in the second set.
For the Blue Hens, Bellinger led the way with a game-high 15 kills, while tallying six digs in the losing effort.
Bellinger turned out to be the only spark in the game for Delaware, as the Blue Hens compiled 25 errors throughout the four sets compared to Hofstra’s 16, putting themselves at a clear disadvantage as the sets closed out.
The win brings Hofstra to 11-7 overall and 3-1 in CAA play as the Pride get set to make their way back home for a four-game home stretch.
Arriving first at the Mack Physical Education Center will be the Elon University Phoenix, who sit behind the Pride with a 2-2 conference record.
After a few days of rest, the Pride players will meet the Phoenix and look to extend their current win streak to four games as they take the court on Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.