WASHINGTON - The Gallaudet University women's volleyball team closed out its regular-season schedule here Friday night during homecoming weekend in front of 425 alumni, students, faculty, staff, family and friends by defeating non-conference opponent Eastern Mennonite University in straight sets.

After winning the first two sets (25-8, 25-17), Gallaudet (18-15) jumped out to a 6-0 lead over the Royals (10-19) at the beginning of the third set and never looked backed. The Royals continued to battle forcing a long rally midway through the third set, but they were unable to overcome Gallaudet's offensive power. Gallaudet won the third set, 25-14.

Junior outside hitter Darriyan Thomas (Vallejo, Calif.) once again demonstrated her stellar abilities both offensively and defensively posting her 15th double-double of the season with 10 kills and a team-high 13 digs. Junior setter Jasmine Jeter (Noblesville, Ind.) assisted on 33 of the Bison's 37 kills while freshman Adele Daniels, (Frederick, Md.) added 12 kills and freshman Maria Elena Rendon (Espanola, N.M.) added eight more kills to propel the Bison over the Royals. 

Becca Hardy led Eastern Mennonite with 10 kills while Skyler Johnson tried to hold off the Bison with 13 digs.

Between the second and third sets, the Gallaudet University athletics department took time to recognize members of the 2006 women's volleyball Sweet 16 team on the 10th anniversary of that historic run.

BISON TRACKS

• Freshman libero Farrah Harmount (Union City, Calif.) recorded 10 digs
• Jeter added four more service aces to her NCAA Division III leading total (80), tops in the nation
• Thomas recorded six service aces and leads the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) with 411 kills.
• The Bison tallied five team blocks

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will head to Marcy, N.Y., to take on Penn St.-Abington for the quarterfinals of the NEAC tournament on Friday, Nov. 4, at 2:30 p.m.