Newark, Del.  – The Le Moyne College volleyball team traveled to the University of Delaware to take on Hampton University and Virginia Tech in their first two matches of the Blue Hen Invitational on Saturday. The Dolphins dropped both matchups, first to Hampton in five sets then to Virginia Tech in a 3-0 sweep. Le Moyne now sits with a 1-4 record on the year.

Match 1: Le Moyne vs Hampton University

The Dolphins came out to a hot start against the Pirates, taking set one 25-14 before falling in the second set, 25-7. Le Moyne made a comeback to retake the lead in set three, 25-23, before dropping both sets four and five, 25-22 and 17-15, allowing Hampton to come away with the match victory.

Sophomore outside hitter Jordyn Hamlin (Manahawkin, N.J. / Southern Regional) put up a team-high 18 kills for the Dolphins with junior opposite hitter Branwyn Lupton (Napanee, O.N. / Napanee District Secondary School) and sophomore outside hitter Nina Salas (Austin, T.X. / McNeil) each recording double-digit kills as well (15 and 11, respectively). Hamlin also led the squad with five service aces against the Pirates. Senior setter Haley Gerken (Buffalo, N.Y. / Frontier) led the way with 31 assists on the offensive side of the ball. Three Dolphins recorded double-digit digs as sophomore libero/DS Brooke Menke (St. Louis, M.O. / Visitation Academy) and sophomore setter Skylar Jehlen (Rochester, N.Y. / Churchville Chili) each tallied 14 and Hamlin added another 12 to the scoresheet. Freshman middle hitter Eiley Schneider (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey) led Le Moyne with 4.0 blocks in the loss.

Racquel Frazier led the Pirates in both kills (34) and service aces (two) while Morgan Warren rounded out the offensive attack with a match-high 53 assists. Katerini Pappa added a team-leading 24 digs with Gabriella Prather putting up 2.0 blocks, Hampton's most of the match.

Match 2: Le Moyne vs Virginia Tech 

Le Moyne was unable to rebound in their second match of the day, falling to the Hokies in three consecutive sets, 25-19, 25-18, 25-17.

Salas tied the match-high with 12 kills against Virginia Tech while Hamlin (10) joined her as the only other Dolphin to hit the double-digit mark in both contests. Menke led the way with a pair of service aces while Gerkin again led in assists, this time with 25 against Virginia Tech. On the defensive end, Hamlin put up a team-best eight digs while sophomore outside hitter Jazmin Rodriguez (Madera, C.A./Madera) led the Dolphins with 3.0 blocks.

Payton Woods tied Salas with 12 kills in the match, while Reese Hazelton (11) and Ainsley Ranstead (10) followed just behind. Randstad, Hazelton, and Erica Dellesky each recorded one service ace apiece with Camilla Brandalise leading the charge with 24 assists. Defensively, Hazelton recorded 14 digs as Isabella Misher and Brianna Holladay each registered 6.0 blocks against Le Moyne.

What's Next:
Le Moyne will close out the Blue Hen Invitational against host Delaware tomorrow, Sunday, Sep. 7 at 3:00 p.m..