HAMPTON, VA. – The Hampton University volleyball team closed out September with their first home match of the 2016 season Friday night and defeated Delaware State 25-17, 25-23, 25-21 at Holland Hall.

Reeana Richardson and Micah Leavell topped Hampton with nine kills each, while Summer Humes had a pair of aces and 11 digs.  Brianna Lilly finished with 30 assists as Hampton won its first match of the year that didn't go five sets.  Lena Washington and Ravyn Richardson added six kills each, while Kyndall Nicholas had five.

A tightly-contested affair saw the teams tied 21 times in the three sets.  In the opening set it was six times in the first seven points before Hampton (3-11, 2-1) established some breathing room on the serve of Humes.  She helped start a run of seven out of eight points with three points off her serve with kills by the Richardson sisters Reeana and Ravyn, along with an ace. 

Brianna Lilly finished that run as Hampton took a 14-8 lead on a kill from Lena Washington. That lead grew to 20-12 on after a pair of aces from Ravyn Richardson as Hampton closed out the opening set 25-17.

In the second, the teams tied ten times as Hampton trailed early 10-7 before forcing the next even point at 11-all after an attack error from Delaware State.  After four more ties, Hampton took the lead for good on kills from Reeana Richardson, Ravyn Richardson and Lena Washington to go up 20-17 as they won the second set 25-23.

After giving up a service ace to start the third set, Hampton never trailed but saw the score tied at 14 before reestablishing control and a kill from Washington punctuated the first 3-0 win of the year for Hampton 25-21.

The Lady Pirates return to action on Sunday at 3 pm when they host the University of Maryland Eastern Shore at Holland Hall.

For more information on Hampton University volleyball, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5906 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.