NEWARK, DE -- Junior Colleen Walsh (right) posted a career-high 32 kills, the second highest in school history, as the Delaware volleyball team defeated Colonial Athletic Association foe William & Mary, 3-2 (30-26, 31-29, 28-30, 22-30, 18-16), Friday evening at Viera Court.

Walsh, whose previous career-high in kills was 28, only trails Renee DuFlon (1976-79), who posted 34 kills against Southern Connecticut in 1979. Walsh, who has 1,227 kills in her career, sits eighth all-time, one kill away from passing Emily Rome (1992-95) for seventh.

Other Blue Hen contributors included Kelly Gibson, who tallied 22 kills to go along with 18 digs and setter Megan Welch who added 69 assists and three service aces. Senior Heather Ranck led the team with 22 digs and freshman Michelle LaLonde led the way with five blocks.

Delaware was match point down in the fifth game as the Blue Hens trailed 14-13, but Walsh posted consecutive kills to put UD up one. The game was tied at 16-16, but Kelly Matthias recorded a kill and Megan Welch followed with a service ace to end the match.

Delaware improves to 19-8 and 10-7 in the CAA, while William & Mary falls to 10-15 and 6-11 in conference play.

William & Mary was led by four players with double figure kills including Abbi Owens who recorded a team-high 18. Teammate Kathleen Hawley posted a game-high 32 digs for the Tribe in the loss.

The Hens will conclude their regular season Saturday when they host Virginia Commonwealth for a 7 p.m. start time. With a win Delaware will get its first 20 win season since 1997.

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