The fall season got off to a terrific start for many of the University’s varsity teams, including the Fightin’ Blue Hens volleyball squad, which opened the season 12-0 for the best start in program history.

A powerful Hofstra University team snapped UD’s winning streak, and the Hens battled through a highly competitive Colonial Athletic Association schedule to earn a berth in the conference championship tournament. UD reached the semifinals before falling 3-2 in a hard-fought match against Hofstra, the eventual champion. Junior setter Megan Welch was among the NCAA Division I individual statistical leaders throughout the season, ranked in the top 20 with 13.24 assists per game. Also, the Hens’ junior hitter Colleen Walsh was ranked in the top 30 with 4.61 kills per game.

The UD men’s soccer team matched its 2005 win total of two in its first two matches and was playing exceptionally competitive games under new Head Coach Ian Hennessy, in one of the nation’s toughest conferences. The Hens finished 6-8-2. Junior forward Sobhan Tadjalli was among the conference leaders with nine goals and four assists for 22 total points.

The women’s soccer team finished 8-8-3 and did not make the CAA playoffs. Senior forward Lindsay Boyd led the team in goals, with six, while freshman forward Melissa Kilker was among the conference leaders in assists, with five. Senior goalkeeper Bonnie Mills was second in the CAA with 99 saves. She and senior defender Lauren Petchel earned conference honors.

Playing an exceptionally challenging schedule, the UD field hockey team finished the season 7-12 but earned a CAA championship tournament berth, falling 2-1 to Hofstra in the quarterfinals. Senior midfielder Katie Evans was among the conference points leaders, with six goals and seven assists, while sophomore Casey Howard was among the leaders in goals, with nine.

Both cross country squads won three team championships, capturing the Hofstra Invitational early in the season and both Delaware Invitational meets run on the home course. Among the top runners for the women’s team were Julia Sommers, Colleen O’Brien and twins Christina and Ioanna Antonopoulos. Leading the men’s team were P.J. Meany, Kyle Schmid, Gregg Cantwell, Kevin Kemmerle and Tyler Mayforth.

In golf, the UD team won its Scotty Duncan Invitational at the White Clay Creek Golf Club in Stanton, with freshman Jason Bernstein defeating teammate John Jenson in a sudden death playoff for the individual title, and the rowing team won the varsity eights race in an exhibition against Lehigh University on the Christina River. The tennis teams had a full fall schedule, with Susan Pollack and Amanda Campbell making strong showings in singles and as a doubles team.