NEWARK, Del. --- Senior Claire Campbell accounted for nine kills and a match-high six blocks to pace the College of Charleston volleyball team as the Cougars fell to Delaware, 3-1, in a back-and-forth affair on Saturday afternoon in Colonial Athletic Association play.
 
Delaware (10-10, 5-6 CAA) won the match by scores of 25-15, 25-18, 18-25 and 25-20 to keep pace in the race for a spot in next month's CAA Championship. Charleston (13-9, 6-5) finished the match with 44 kills, seven blocks and a .200 hitting percentage compared to 57 kills, eight blocks, nine aces and a .289 attacking clip for the Blue Hens.
 
Critical Point
With the Cougars holding a narrow 10-9 advantage in the fourth frame, Delaware embarked on a 6-0 run to open a 15-10 lead. The Blue Hens would go on to win the set, 25-20, and put the brakes on Charleston's comeback effort.
 
Key Cougars

• Junior Gabi Bailey totaled eight kills, nine digs, three blocks and two service aces in an all-around effort.
• Campbell continued her strong play with nine kills and six blocks – including two solos – while hitting .333.
• Senior Molly Russell chipped in five kills on 10 swings without an error.
• Tynley Smeltzer donned the libero jersey for the final two sets and finished with eight digs in four assists across three frames.
• Freshman Emma Appleman accounted for 18 assists, seven digs and two aces.

Game Notes

• The Cougars accumulated 25 of their 44 kills in the final two frames including 13 in the fourth set while hitting .355.
• Wierzbicki led the Cougars with 10 kills on 27 swings.
• Delaware's Lani Mason put down a match-high 20 kills and hit .349 on 43 attempts.
• Charleston held Delaware to nine kills and a .000 hitting percentage in the third set.

Up Next
The Cougars and Blue Hens will meet in the second match of the weekend series tomorrow afternoon. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, Del.