By David F.P. [Modest Image Gallery]

WEST HARTFORD, CT- The Hartford Hawks swept the Delaware State Hornets three sets to 1 this Saturday during one of the many matches of the Hartford/Quinnipiac tournament. Coach Don Ferguson’s Hawks had the early morning session before hosting La Salle that night. Renee Arnold’s Hornets hopped on a bus after the match and headed down to Quinnipiac for an evening contest.

When I arrived early that morning Hartford was just narrowly wrapping up a victory in set number 1. Set number 2 opened up with 5 straight Hartford points thanks to two aces from Dionna Kirton which sandwiched a Michelle Cordell kill. Jackie Tamburri had a set to the a gap in the Delaware State line, and a cross court kill from Kami Nethersole finished the run. The two teams traded errors, and Tamburri and Cordell each netted a point to put their team up 8-1.

The visitors picked up a few points to cut the score to 9-4. Sareeta Nethersole added to the U of H lead with a point and another followed, as did an attack from Kirton off the defender’s block attempt and out of play, and another whap from Sareeta Nethersole. Yet another point for Hartford followed to make the score 14-5 and the Hornets called a time out. When play resumed D-State picked up four straight points including a kill from Jes Russell-Croucher, but Hartford kept rolling and turned the 14-9 score to 21-9 in short order. Cordell had a smash, Lindsay Makowicki crushed a ball to the corner, Tamburri fooled the defense with a fake set she turned into an attack, later Makowicki had another kill, as did Sareeta Nethersole with her tap attack. Delaware State traded points with Hartford including Croucher-Russell’s block, and a huge kill from Cordell as well as a spike from Kami Nethersole, but they were running out of time to catch up. Elisa Herrman had a huge spike to cut the lead to 10, but Lindsay Anderson ended the set for Hartford with a huge kill and another kill right after to put the score at 25-19.

Set 3 was a similar offensive onslaught as Hartford exploded to a 21-6 lead. Hartford’s offense included a kill from Kami Nethersole, Anderson whacking an overpass in, an ace from Tamburri, a blast from Kami Nethersole and then an ace from her, Anderson had another blast, Sareeta Nethersole sent a ball through the opposing blockers, and later Saara Carissimi served up an ace. Delaware State Scoring included a kill from Theresa Schieder., later Russell-Croucher picked up a couple points, and Edarkis Branch a block. Hartford started closing the door at the end with Lindsay Swan’s tap over the net, a missile from Cordell, a block from Anderson, and a tip from Anderson to end the set 25-10.

Editor’s Note: This is based on notes taken at the match, normally verified against the official play by play if possible. Reports focus on offense since it is easier to track but note defensive play whenever possible. It is difficult to note things like digs and assists although they are no doubt vital to the game.  Also, a lot happens in a volleyball game, far more than can fit into a report, so this just notes some of it.