DELHI, N.Y. (September 27, 2021) – The SUNY Delhi women's volleyball team grabbed its fifth win in a row with a five-set home thriller to defeat Elmira Monday night, marking the program's first-ever victory over the Soaring Eagles through seven matchups dating back to 2015. The Broncos continue their hot streak that has produced nine wins in their last ten games for a 9-3 record to enter their conference season starting Wednesday at SUNY Cobleskill.

Delhi handled the Soaring Eagles in the opening set 25-17 before the purple and gold used 13 kills and a .270 hitting percentage to take a close 25-22 win to even things up. The Broncos clapped back with 14 kills as they broke off from a 22-22 tie with three straight points for the 25-22 win. Elmira answered from a 21-19 deficit with six straight points to force the tiebreaker with a 25-21 win. Head coach Beau Bracchy's team crept ahead in the deciding set with a pair of four-point leads before Rebecca Heuler called match with her game clinching ace for a 15-10 win.

While Elmira totaled 51 kills on a .141 kill percentage, they were clipped with 23 service errors. Delhi administered 45 kills on a .093 kill percentage, and most impressively charted 78 digs on a well-defended evening and displayed their serving efficiency with just nine service errors. Freshman libero Heuler took the lion's share with 26 digs and four of the Bronocs' eight service aces, while Stephanie Burke led with 11 kills to go with 13 digs and three block assists, while Witchney Clersainville drilled ten kills with four block assists. Grace Thomas was on the spot with 35 assists and 13 digs, along with adding five kills. Bailee Jones stood strong with 11 digs and seven kills, as Marie Julian persevered through a challenging evening to deliver nine kills for third-most on the squad with eight digs.

"Don't even know what to say. Hard fought match on both sides," said Coach Bracchy. "I think our digging and service reception gave us opportunities to attack. We only missed nine serves over the five sets we played and we didn't hurt ourselves in that regard."

The Broncos take their hot stretch into conference play starting Wednesday at SUNY Cobleskill at 7:00 p.m., then home matches against Cazenovia Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and SUNY Canton Sunday at 12 noon.

VB: Broncos get the ace to call match against Elmira three sets to two! Delhi wins fifth straight, nine of last ten! #DelhiDrive pic.twitter.com/fvWnDOUK0Q

— SUNY Delhi Broncos (@DelhiBroncos) September 28, 2021