Hempstead, NY - Senior Ana Martinovic had a match-high 16 kills, while freshman Maria Branco had 40 assists in her collegiate debut, but it wasn't enough as the Hofstra volleyball team fell to Delaware in three tight sets on Wednesday evening at the Bob Carpenter Center. 

Set scores were as close as possible with Delaware earning wins by scores of 28-26, 26-24, and 25-22. 

The loss drops Hofstra's record to 3-3 overall and 0-3 in Colonial Athletic Association play. Delaware improved to 3-6 and 2-3 in conference action. 

Hofstra hit nearly .300 in the match as their offense was clicking in the second and third sets with a .333 attack percentage in set two and a .324 attack percentage in the second stanza. Senior Juliana Vaz was also in double figures in kills for the Pride with 10, marking a season-high for her. 

The tight first set saw the Pride hold the Blue Hens to just a .190 hitting percentage is keeping the set and the match close. 

Sophomore Athina Dimitriadis chipped in with nine kills and added a career-high six digs, while freshman Damla Tokman totaled seven kills on 10 attempts with no errors. Junior Maddie Appleton picked up 19 digs for the Pride. 

Claire Flood had 14 kills for Delaware, while Lily Rogers had 22 assists, six digs, and five kills for the Blue Hens. 

Hofstra will next be in action on Saturday when it travels to Boston to take on Northeastern at 2 p.m. 

NOTES 
- Hofstra is now 53-22 all-time against Delaware. 
- It was a season-high in digs for Appleton, whose previous high this season was 14 at Seton Hall.