NEWARK, Del. - - A strong defensive showing helped push the Wilmington University volleyball to a 3-0 sweep over visiting Chestnut Hill, 3-0, in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division contest at the WU Athletics Complex on Tuesday night.

Set scores for the match were 25-20, 25-28, and 25-28.

The back row of the Wilmington (19-9, 14-2 CACC) defense produced 68 digs while the blockers at the end out-blocked the visitors, 10-2, all leading to only allowing the Griffins (7-19, 5-10 CACC) hit negative .007 for the match.

Sophomore libero Shelby Henderson led the Wildcats with 23 digs from the back row while classmate Alex Siolos and freshman Tia Williams produced a team high six block assists at the net.

The first set proved to be the closest contested game of the match, as each team stayed within a few points of each other until the very end. Trailing 11-6 early on, Chestnut Hill was able to four of the next five points to climb with two, and another three consecutive points later to get to within one at 15-14. The Wildcats were able to keep the Griffins at bay, never losing the lead. Now leading 22-20, the Wildcats received kills by freshman Allison Briley and back-to-back marks by Kaitlin DiGiacinto to end the set, 25-20.

The Wildcats jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead in the second set before holding onto a 10-7 lead midway through the game. From there, Wilmington scored seven straight points on the strength of the Annie Scarfo serve to push the lead out to 17-7. Trailing 21-12, the Griffins made it interesting with a 5-0 run, closing the gap to 21-17. Now at 22-18, the Wildcats received points on a double block by Brittany Biddle and Williams, a Griffin attack error, and a kill by DiGiacinto to close out the frame, 25-18.

Chestnut Hill took an early 8-3 lead in the third set before the Wildcats came clawing back. Three straight points bring the Wildcats to within two at 8-6, before another 3-0 run allowed the home team to eventually tie the set at 13-13. After the Griffins took a brief 14-13 lead, the Wildcats gained the lead for good with a 4-0 run, mainly with the aide of the Griffin attack error. After trading points until holding a 20-18 lead, Scarfo again went on the serving spree, helping the Wildcats score five straight points to end the set, and the match, 25-18.

DiGiacinto led the offense with 10 kills on the night while Biddle and Briley chipped in with seven kills each. Kasey Couch dished out 15 assists while Alex Siolos added 13 helpers in the match. Scarfo and Siolos led with two service aces each, as the Wildcats collected six in all.

There is only one more chance to catch the Wildcats in action at the WU Athletics Complex in the regular season, as they will host cross-town rivals Goldey-Beacom on Thursday for Senior Night. The team will honor its three seniors prior to the match starting at 7 p.m.

Thursday will also offer fans to participate throughout the night, as the team will host a Spooktacular Costume Party along with a serving contest in between sets. The first 50 fans through the door wearing a Halloween costume will receive a prize, while all fans in attendance in a costume will be entered to win a Visa Gift Card.