Yanique Spencer, "Question of the Day" Queen

YANIQUE SPENCER aka "QUESTION OF THE DAY" QUEEN

Yanique (Yaya) Spencer is a member of our freshman class and has truly embraced the role of being the team's "best friend". She works every day on building strong relationships with each teammate and coach and does this mostly through her "Questions of the Day". Each morning as the team is starting our 6:00am practices, Yaya tries her best to personally approach each player and coach and asks them her question of the day. Since she's usually the one asking the questions instead of answering the questions, we decided to use this week's blog to get to know Yaya through several past "questions of the day" and some new ones we came up with ourselves!

Past "Questions of the Day":

Yaya, who is your favorite musical artist?

"Choosing one artist is hard because I enjoy a wide variety of music but I can choose one for each of my favorite genres. My favorite pop music artist is Ariana Grande, my favorite hip-hop/r&b artist is Rihanna, and my favorite classical music artist is Leonard Bernstein."

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

"I would go to Egypt because I'm very interested in seeing all the cool architecture there (pyramids) and a lot more of its history."

If you could be any animal, which animal would you be and why?

"I would want to be a blue whale because even though they're massive, they're seen as so gentle. And even though they're gentle, they have so much force when they breach the water and do their little backflip thingy. Blue whales are my spirit animal."

What are you most thankful for?

"I am most thankful for my family...they're the real ones."

What has been your favorite memory at DSU so far?

"Crazy Hour for sure. Crazy Hour is when me and everyone in my dorm suite all hang out, do homework, crack jokes, laugh, do riddles...we're usually pretty delirious. Our new activity during Crazy Hour has been playing Fortnite (brought on by Taylor). Crazy Hour usually occurs every night at 10:30pm."

New questions NOT asked by Yaya:

What are you most excited for when thinking about the season starting tomorrow?

"I'm excited for the competition and finally getting to play other teams, seeing the way our team competes. I'm excited for being in this new team atmosphere, finally being able to put everything together as a team, and spending time with one another."

What are you majoring in and why did you choose that major?

"I'm majoring in management with a concentration in marketing. I chose this major because I love interacting with people and I believe it will prepare me for a career in sports once I graduate. I love sports!"

What are your career goals?

"My dream job is to work for Nike in ad-sales marketing or by directly marketing the Nike brand. I wouldn't mind doing this through other professional athletes, through retail outlets, networks, university athletics, etc. I just really love what the Nike brand is all about."

What was your dream job when you were little?

"When I was little, I wanted to be an astronaut. I really looked up to Dr. Mae C. Jemison. Every time my teachers assigned a Black History Month project, I chose her as my subject."

If you were given an elephant that you couldn't give away or sell, what would you do with it?

"Since I would have a hard time fitting it in the dorm, I would have it live at the Annex. I would definitely make it an attraction to make some cash. I would have people come visit it, take pictures with it, and use him as a prop at weddings. I would visit him in the Annex all the time, sleep with him sometimes, play soccer (I hear elephants are good at soccer), play memory games (I hear they have good memories too), and of course, give him showers and baths!"

Thank you Yaya for being the ray of sunshine that gets our mornings started off right! (:

Senior Spotlight : Khaliyah Flournory

                      Khaliyah Flournory 

Khaliyah Flournory is our Senior Captain. This has been a huge year for her in the box . Khaliyah's batting  average sparked up from .265 in 2017 to  .355  in the 2018 season making her the second leading hitter on our ball club. In 2017, she delivered 11 RBI's she is currently at 15 for the season so far. Khaliyah has been a constant spark this year at the top of the line-up. Outside the lines, Kaliyah manages being a team leader while majoring in Accounting getting excellent grades. She plans to get her masters concluding graduation but its been a pleasure having her as a Hornet. The future is very bright for this young lady. Get to know her more of Flournory:

Khaliyah Flournory #14

Hometown: Syracuse, NY

Khaliyah, who are the 3 greatest living musicians? “John Legend (my boyfriend). All the goodies are dead and gone.”

Which historical figure would you like to be? Maya Angelou 

If you could time travel, where would you go? My wedding day

Who would play you in a movie of your life? Gabrielle Union 

Senior Spotlight: Vanessa Washington

Vanessa Washington

Vanessa Washington is having a great breakout Senior Year. She has developed not only on the field but off the field as being a leader. She is currently hitting .284 and leading the team with 21 RBI's. Vanessa has been our consistent DP hitter but has made a few appearances at first base. Outside of softball, Vanessa will be graduating in May with a bachelors in Political Science and a minor in Law Studies.Washington will be attending Law School in Stockton, California following graduating . We cant wait to see what the future holds for her concluding her final game as a Hornet.

Q & A 

Vanessa Washington #23

Hometown: Elk Grove, CA

Vanessa, what would you do if you were invisible for a day? “If I was invisible for a day, I would try to sneak on the set of Game of Thrones and I would watch the cast and follow them around all day, trying to find out spoilers.”

Would you rather live a week in the past or future? I would rather live a week in the future but it would have to be a future time I would not be alive because I don’t have the discipline to not alter the space time continuum.

  If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be? Jesus

If you could be a cartoon character for a week, who would you be? An extra on The Proud Family

What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done? I think I try to accomplish small acts of courage everyday. There are many things that scare me in life so I try to be brave in those situations.

Day In The Life of Jalen Wilcher

Day In The Life of Jalen Wilcher

We get several questions on student athletes schedule and what a everyday schedule looks like. So we got a chance to meet up with  our sophomore Jalen Wilcher from Bethlehem, Pa. She previously attended Shippensburg (Pa.) University in which she was a member of Shippensburg's 2016 Div. 2 National Field Hockey Championship team. Jalen is very special type of student athlete because on top of a student athlete she also works somedays during the week. Tuesday is her busiest schedule. Check out insider into her life on Tuesdays. 





Tuesday

Practice 5:15-8:00 

Weights 8:30-9:00 

Trigonometry 9:30-10:45

Intro to biology Professions 12-12:50

Lunch at 1:00

Work 2-3

Study from 3-5:30

Dinner 5:35-5:40

Chemistry Lab 6p-8:00p

What is your favorite Class? My Favorite and hardest class is General Chemistry 2. I am learning  how chemical reactions,equilibrium and understanding how acids and bases react.

                                                                   Fun Facts                                             

                     

Are you in any groups on Campus? I am a member of FCA (fellowship of Christian athletes

Weekly Hobby: watching Netflix

What do you miss the most while being in college?  I miss family dinners and my sister. I handle  that by having dinners with some teammates weekly and I FaceTime my family weekly which makes it better.

Advice for future student athletes: less is more ! Don’t spread yourself too thin

First Conference Sweep

Weekend Recap

The Delaware State softball team is off to an explosive start to its 2018 MEAC North schedule. The Hornets combined for 38 runs and 46 hits in a sweep of Maryland-Eastern Shore in the conference opening.

Doubleheader Games

DSU took game one 17-10 and completed the day with a 13-2 victory in the nightcap. The first game, Desiree Moreno led the charge going 3-for-5 with a homer and five runs batted in, while Kayleigh Berry had four hits and two RBI in five at bats to lead the Hornets’ 20-hit attack. In addition, freshman Alyssa Diaz (3-for-3) and Jasmine Melgoza (3-for-5) collected three hits each in the contest. The second game, Moreno was 3-for-5, including her second homer of the doubleheader, and three runs batted in.  Flournory had three hits and four RBI in three at bats, while freshman Vanessa Barron was 3-for-4 and drove in two runs in the game. Delaware State scored a run in each inning of the nightcap.

Pitching:  Alexis Goldsby got the win the first game. In 4.2 innings, Goldsby only allowed 5 earned runs during the contest. Shields came in relief and only allowed 1 hit and no runs for the 2 innings she pitched. The second game, Hannah got the win in which she tossed 6.0 innings and only allowed 6 hits and 1 earned run during this appearance. Hannah had a successful weekend on the mound.

 

Final Game:

Hannah Shields tossed a complete game in the Hornets’ 8-2 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore in a MEAC North softball contest. DSU completed a three-game series sweep of the Hawks to improve to 5-17 overall and 3-0 in the MEAC this season. Kaleigh Berry was 3-for-4 with two runs batted in, while Jasmine Melgoza had three hits and a RBI in four at-bats to highlight the Hornets’ 12-hit attack. Shields allowed eight hits and two runs, while striking out one and walking one, to improve to 3-7 this season.

Weekly Honors:

DSU catcher Desiree Moreno (so.; Carson, Cal.) was selected as the MEAC’s Softball Player-of-the-Week, while Hornet infielder Alyssa Diaz (fr.; Fontana, Cal.) shared Rookie-of-the-Week honors announced by the league today.

Moreno batted .429 (6-of-14) with two home runs, eight runs batted in and 12 total bases to help lead the Hornets to a three-game sweep of Maryland-Eastern Shore in the season-opening MEAC North series last weekend. For the season, Moreno leads the Hornets with a .409 batting average, six homers and 17 runs batted in. Entering this week’s games, she ranks third in the MEAC in home runs, tied for seventh in RBI and eighth in hitting.

Diaz batted .624 (5-for-8) with five RBI in the Maryland-Eastern Shore series. She was 3-for-3 with three runs batted in and a stolen base in the series opener and 2-for-3 with an RBI in Sunday’s finale.

What’s Next? Delaware State will have their first Home-Series against Norfolk St. University this weekend. Saturdays game times are 1pm & 3pm. Sundays game time is at 12:00pm! See you there. Always Go Hornets.

Tournament Play Wrap Up

Tournament Play Wrap-Up

Liberty Tournament:

The Delaware State softball team opened its 2018 season with four games at the Liberty University Softball Challenge in Lynchburg, Va. They played Liberty and Central Michigan twice. They competed very well.

Delaware State was led by Moreno  whom had three hits in nine at bats in the tourney, while Berry and Flournory collected two hits each.

In the season opener on Thursday, DSU catcher Desiree Moreno hit a home run and starting pitcher Hannah Shields allowed just two unearned runs and struck out six batters in six innings, but it was not enough in a 2-1 loss to host Liberty.

The Second Game Delaware State fell to Central Michigan 9-0 in its second game, also on Thursday. Kayleigh Berry had a one-out single in the third inning for DSU’s lone hit in the game. The third game, The Hornets suffered a 3-2 loss to Central Michigan in their third tournament game today. Delaware State trailed 2-0 before scoring a run in the fifth inning and another in the top of the seventh to tie the game, but Central scored the winning run on a two-out, walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh. The last game of the tournament Delaware State lost its final tournament game 6-0 to Liberty.

NC State Invitational 

This weekend was not our best showing but we learned a lot of important things to help us along this journey. The first Game we lost to Ohio University 4-12. Then the second game we lost to NC State 0-8. NC States bats were going that day and it was difficult to catch up. The third game we lost 0-11 against Wagner and we couldn’t get our Bats going. But after that lost it turned somethings around we came back and had a redemption against Ohio and held the lead the whole game but ended up dropping 4-6. The final Game, we got to have a rematch with Wagner in a very high contested game we ended up dropping the game 2-1 in later innings Wagner won on a 2 run homerun. It was a close game and despite starting the tournament not very strong Delaware State bounced back and competed in the final games.

USC Upstate Tournament

Hornets notched there first win in this tournament. Delaware State never backed down from any team in this tournament. Every game the girls put up a fight and the finale came out with a win. Washington had two hits this weekend, each a home run, to lead DSU with three homers and six RBI this season.      

In the first Game, we lost in 8 innings against Mt. St. Mary's in which they came on top in international tie-breaker. Delaware State played USC Upstate  and lost 0-11. Then, the third game Delaware State battled with Indiana and ended up losing 9-4 in which we were winning during a big chunk of the game. Concluding that game we played USC Upstate in another nail biter and ended up dropping that game 2-1 and they are currently ranked 25th. 

In the final Game Alexis Goldsby tossed a complete game and five players drove in a run each to lead Delaware State to a 5-3 victory over Furman in the Hornets’ final game of the University of South Carolina Upstate Tournament this weekend.DSU’s victory was its first of the season and also snapped Furman’s 10-game win streak.


USF Tournament

 The Delaware State softball team recorded season-highs in runs and hits, but it was not enough in a 15-12 loss to South Dakota State in the Hornets’ South Florida Tournament finale on Sunday.DSU was 1-4 in its five tournament games, defeating Iona (3-2), while also falling to Southern Illinois (10-2), Western Michigan (14-6) and Robert Morris (6-4).In the South Dakota State contest, nine players hit safely for the Hornets. Newcomers Vanessa Barron (1-for-1) and Alyssa Diaz (1-for-4) led DSU with three RBI each.Desiree Moreno (2-3) homered for the second straight game.  Moreno was 7-for-15 in the tournament (.467) with two home runs and four RBI. For the season, she’s batting a team-best .404 and is tied for the club lead with four home runs.Sabrina Quarles also drove in two runs for the Hornets in the South Dakota State contest.In Delaware State’s 3-2 tournament win over Iona, Hannah Shields tossed a complete game, allowing five hits and two runs (one earned), while striking out four in seven innings. Washington had hits in all five South Florida Tournament games (7-for-16), including a home run, and drove in four.

Coach Jackson's thoughts: 

 Tournament play was good for us, it gave us the opportunity to learn what our strengths are, how to play together as a team and what areas we will improve on.  We have a young team on the field so the preseason offered learning experience, we discovered what we are made of in the face adversity. We all had to  make adjustments to discover success. Though we did not have the wins,  we grew a lot as a team, learning how to compete with and for each other and I'm excited to enter conference play with this team. I have a lot of faith in what we are capable of it. We are a talented group, and we will be a strong competitor in conference.

What I love about conference is it is not about the most skilled team... its about the team that comes out and plays with the most energy, fight, grit, determination. Preseason is behind us and I'm looking forward to what is to come in conference play. 

What's Next?

The Hornets begin their MEAC North schedule this weekend with a three-game series at Maryland-Eastern Shore.  The teams will play a doubleheader on Sat. (Mar. 17) beginning at 1 p.m. and a single game on Sun.  (Mar. 18) at noon.

Senior Spotlight: Jessica Shalongo

Senior Spotlight

This weeks Senior spotlight is on Jessica Shalongo. Jessica was born Oct. 20, 1995 in Towaco N.J... Daughter of Bob and Beth Ann Shalongo... Sister to Kelsey and Samantha... Majoring in Movement Science. She has appeared in 45 games during her tenure at DSU. Jessica will be a big key to our success this year in the circle in which she is one of four pitchers this year. Jessica has worked extremely hard during the preseason and we can wait to see her compete this weekend. We took the time to reflect with Jessica about this upcoming season and memories of wearing the Hornet Jersey.

What are you looking forward to most about your final season?

I am looking forward to my final season playing softball. I think over the years you get caught up in trying to be perfect and you don’t truly appreciate what this opportunity presents. I love the travel I get to experience and all the new places you get to go. I’m also going to miss being able to be competitive every weekend. But most importantly I am going to miss softball. Softball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I know it is going to be very difficult to adjust to not having this awesome sport apart of my life anymore.

 What is the best memory you have had during your career?

 My best memory is traveling to MEACs. After a rewarding season it is always so amazing to get the opportunity to travel to the final games of the season and try to prove that Your Team is the best of the best. I love playing at the fields we play at and the atmosphere. It brings me back to my travel ball days when you go to a tournament with multiple games going on at the same time. The fans that travel along with us are always so passionate and overall, it’s just a fun and rewarding experience.

What are you going to miss most about this year’s team?

This year it has been fun being the oldest of the group. The freshman has made me realize how much I have experienced and how much valuable advice I can give them. Taking on the role of one of the senior leaders has been my favorite part about this year’s team.

What is the coolest place you went during your career?

During my career I believe the coolest place I have traveled to is Georgia. Because of tournaments when I played travel ball I had gotten to experience most of the states we have traveled to, but I have never been to Georgia until last year. The weather was great in Georgia and all the people who lived there were super nice!

What are you plans after you are done?

 After I graduate from DSU I plan to attend graduate school to obtain my master’s in occupational therapy. With this degree I wish to be a pediatric Occupational Therapist in a school setting.

                   

Jordan Casey Birthday Memories

Jordan Casey Birthday Memories

As you have read, it was Jordan's Birthday last week on January 24. She turned 20 years old! But we took the opportunity to ask Jordan about a few birthday memories from her younger age. Check them out.

What was the best birthday you ever had ? party? or Day? 

 For my 18th birthday my parents got me tickets to see Garth Brooks! That was the best birthday present/day I ever had.

What was your favorite age so far?

My favorite age so far would have to be 16 when I was able to drive 😂

And what age are you looking for?

 I’m looking forward to being 21!

Are there certain traditions your family use to do for birthday?

  In the past on my birthday my family would go to dinner and then we would come home and have dessert and sing and then open any presents I might have.

Your 20 years old now . What are somethings you want to accomplish in the next 20 years

Some things I would like to accomplish in the next 20 years are graduating and commissioning into the Army as a 2LT. I would like to do 15 years active duty and then smoothly transition into the FBI.

Micaela Cumming's Service Trip

Micaela Cumming's Service trip to Puerto Rico

During winter break, Micaela joined Focus Ministry in going on a mission trip to Puerto Rico. Here in an insider of the few questions to get an insight on what Micaela learned and did while there.

Where did you go and what was it for?

I went to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico with FOCUS Ministries. Me and 19 other student-athletes from across the nation put on sports camps for local kids there.

What was it for?

Although this is a place that FOCUS goes to every year to put on a sports camp, this year was different due to the damage from the recent hurricane. We were able to give more hope and love in a time where the people of Puerto Rico were struggling.

What did you learn?

I learned so much about the Puerto Rican culture, where they never stop laughing, singing, and especially dancing. I learned that it is possible and important to be a student-athlete with strong faith, in a culture where that is not the norm. But most importantly, I learned that joy and hope can be found in any situation. The people of Mayaguez loved with no expectation, just because that is what God calls us to do. The authentic joy and love they showed us in the midst of their hard situation is something I will never forget.

Do you have any plans do this again?

Absolutely. It was one of the most amazing experiences to be surrounded by people who were truly grateful simply for you being there and to do it alongside 19 other students who are living out their faith while playing a sport in college is something I wish I could experience every day.

Coaches Note:

Micaela is not only a great person but also teammate. She has a service heart and that is one of the main things we love with having her as player. Cummings always puts people and the team first and it continues to amaze us. Thank you for being who you are Micaela.

Meac Challenge Week

 

Meac Challenge Week

Last week was a mental and physical challenge for all the ladies in during the challenges the teams earned points in which were totaled at the end of the week. The week taught us the strengths and weakness that we need focus on for our season that is approaching here in the next couple of months. Several Players stepped outside their comfort zones and grew a lot during these challenges . The teams were separated into three teams Hornet Strong, Relentless Courage, and Competitive Excellence in which are our three core covenants that we stand by as a team.              

  

Relentless Courage

Competitive Excellence

Hornet Strong

There were all different events each day of the week. Here is a brief event schedule we took the players through.

Monday: Weight room Challenge of sled pushes and pulls, and tire flips

Tuesday: GameDay  ( Ultimate Frisbee, Tiger Ball)

Wednesday: Obstacle Course on the football field

Thursday: Team Mile Swim

Friday: Paint Ball Battle

 

Saturday: Team Skits

MEAC CHALLENGE WINNER : HORNET STRONG!!