Center Valley, PA (September 29, 2023) - The DeSales University volleyball team dropped a nail biting five setter to Kean University, 3-2, in non-conference action on Friday evening in Billera Hall.

After falling down 1-0 in a 25-17 first set loss, the Bulldogs rallied taking sets two and three by scores of 25-23 and 25-22.  DSU trailed nearly the entire way in the second set and were down 20-16 before rallying with seven of the next eight points to take a 23-21. Kean tied the set at 23 before a kill from junior Samantha Worontzoff and a Cougar error gave DSU the second set.

In the third set there were 11 ties and four lead changes.  Tied at 19, DSU scored two straight points forcing a Kean timeout. The Cougars tied the set at 21 before a KU service error and another kill from Worontzoff gave the Bulldogs a 23-21 lead and eventually the set, 25-22.

Both teams came out firing in the fourth set with Kean totaling a match-high 17 kills, hitting .184 in the set and fought off late surge to win the fourth, 25-22, forcing a fifth set.

In the fifth, Kean took a 6-2 lead, but DSU tied the match at six with four straight points.  Kean had four match points leading 14-10 but the Bulldogs fought all of them off to tie the set at 14. It remained tied after trading points at 15 before the Cougars scored two straight to take the win, 17-15.

Worontzoff led the way with 13 kills, hitting .290, and added six blocks. Senior Delanie Zohler had 11 kills and 15 digs. Senior Paige Lewis added nine kills, hitting .318, and added four blocks.  First-year Mackenzie Fox had eight kills and four blocks.

Sophomore Peyton Porterfield totaled 21 assists and senior Grace Grandinetti totaled 20 assists and 11 digs.  Senior Emma Notarfrancesco had 13 digs and senior Alyson Maddalone added 15 digs and three aces.

The Bulldogs are back in action on Wednesday traveling to Lebanon Valley College for a MAC Freedom match set to begin at 7:00 pm.