WILLIAMSBURG, VA -- Sophomore libero Stephanie Barry recorded her 1,000th career dig as she helped lead the University of Delaware volleyball team to a 3-1 (30-26, 25-30, 31-29, 30-28) victory over the William & Mary Tribe on Thursday night at the Kaplan Arena.

With her 27 digs against the Tribe, Barry (at right) becomes the fastest to record 1,000 digs in Delaware history after reaching the mark in just her 61st career match and 225th game. Joanna Dusza held the previous record, reaching the plateau in 81 matches and 235 games.

Against the Tribe, setter Megan Welch also had a great day, tying her career-high with 69 assists, which she accomplished twice last season. It also tied the fourth most assists by a Hen in a single match in Delaware history.

Along with Welch and Barry, Colleen Walsh had a strong performance, notching a match-high 24 kills. Kelly Gibson also posted her 14th double-double this season after tallying 19 kills and 19 digs.

In the first game, Delaware (27-4, 11-2 CAA) and William & Mary battled to an 18-18 draw. With the score tied, the Hens quickly went on the attack, reeling off five straight points and seven of the next eight, led by three kills each from Walsh and Michelle LaLonde.

With a commanding 25-19 lead, the Hens cruised to a 30-26 victory.

During the second set, the Tribe jumped out quickly and held an early 16-9 advantage. Delaware battled back, going on a 13-7 run to cut the deficit to one. That was as close as the Hens would get, however, as William & Mary scored seven of the last ten points to post a 30-25 victory.

Following the intermission, both teams battled back-and-forth before the Tribe went on a late run to take a 29-26 lead. After a kill by Colleen Walsh staved on game point, the Hens handed the ball to Michelle LaLonde, who helped Delaware complete a gigantic comeback.

With the ball, Delaware reeled off four straight points, capped off by an ace from LaLonde, which put the Hens up two games to one.

In the fourth and final frame, the Tribe took a 22-18 lead. Down four late, the Hens called a timeout. After William & Mary extended its lead to five, the Hens scored the next four points. Following another Tribe point, Delaware went on a second four-point run to take a 26-24 lead.

After William & Mary fought back and took a 28-27 advantage, the Hens quickly notched the last three points of the match, led by two kills from Walsh.

During the contest, freshman Katie Dennehy tallied 17 kills and two blocks. LaLonde added 14 kills for the Hens, while Jess Chason had a career-high 15 digs.

William & Mary (13-14, 7-6) was led by Jill Nowadly, who had a match-high 30 digs. Erin Skipper led the Tribe with 19 kills, while Kim Mount had a team-high 52 assists.

With the win, Delaware avenged its 3-2 loss at the hands of the Tribe earlier this season.

The Blue Hens return to action tomorrow at 5 p.m. when they travel to Virginia Commonwealth for the team’s last regular-season match of the year.

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