Volleyball Defeats Delaware Valley in 5-Set Thriller

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (September 27, 2010) – The Centenary women’s volleyball team (4-14, 1-0) defeated Delaware Valley College (5-7) in a thrilling five-set contest in Folkner Family Gymnasium on Monday Night.

After the trailing by a few points throughout much of the first set, the Lady Cyclones closed strong behind junior Devon Paffendorf (Hackettstown, N.J./Mount Olive). Paffendorf registerd six of her 24 kills in the opening set as the Lady Cyclones won 25-21.

After Delaware Valley won a somewhat decisive second set, 25-20, the third set came down to the final points. Crucial plays by Kelly Zegarowitz (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) and a game clinching ace by Liz Luckenbill (Schuylkill, Pa./Schuylkill) proved to be the difference. Riding the momentum of the victorious third set, the Lady Cyclones stayed in front for most of the fourth set until a late rally by the Lady Aggies knotted the match at two sets a piece.

In fitting matter, the teams battled evenly until the very last points of the match. After two crucial points off serves by sophomore Jelena Markovic (Brcko, Bosnia and Herzegovina/The Economic School) to give Centenary a 13-11 lead, the Aggies tied the score 13-13 in the deciding set. The Lady Cyclones then scored a point off Delaware Valley's serve to take a 14-13 lead. The game was decided when junior Kelsey Walter (Hackettstown, N.J./Hackettstown) struck a blistering serve into Delaware Valley's end that was returned into the net.

Jelena Markovic finished the game with 35 assists and 19 digs, while Kelsey Walter finished with 22 digs. For Centenary, it was their fourth five-set contest of the season, with this the first time coming out victorious. It was the Lady Cyclones first five-set victory since Oct. 1, 2009 at Immaculata.

The Lady Cyclones return to conference action when they host Cedar Crest on Saturday, Oct. 2 at Noon.