Lehigh University
Delaware State
Mountain Hawks get stung by the Hornets
10/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – You would never be able to tell that Lehigh's volleyball match with Delaware State Tuesday night was a non-conference one, as both teams battled hard for nearly two and a half hours before the Hornets were able squeak out a 3-2 win. With the loss the Mountain Hawks fall to 10-9 on the season and this match wraps-up their non-conference play.
"We provided some extra rest for the girls yesterday and we expected to have to iron out the kinks in the first few plays, but that extended for the whole first set and into the second," head coach Jenny Maurer said. "We didn't bring the focus tonight and that is something we have to work on."
In the first set both teams started off very strong, but after being tied at 10-10 Delaware State pulled away to win the set 25-18.
Maurer did some tweaking to her lineup in-between sets and the Mountain Hawks were able to come out strong in the second set. Freshman Margy Acton was switched to libero and sophomore Rebecca Slegers was brought in to provide some height up front. The Mountain Hawks were able to tighten up their game and hold on for the 25-23 win in the second set.
After two sets it was evident that neither team was going to go down easy, but Lehigh, with the momentum on its side was able to pull ahead with the score tied 18-18 and win 25-22.
The Hornets refused to give up in the fourth set as they battled back from a six point deficit to even the score at 18. Delaware State would go on to take a two point lead before Lehigh would even the score at 20-20. The rest of the set was back and forth until the Hornets ended the set with two straight points to win 26-24.
The fifth set followed suit like the others as both teams battled it out all the way till the end. With the score tied 13-13 Delaware State wrapped up the match with the final two points to secure the win.
Acton responded to the switch to libero by recording a career-high 26 digs in the match. The Lehigh attack was led by three players who had double-digit kills: Angelika Kopacz (15), Mo McReynolds (11), and Emily Flanagan with a career-high 11.
"I give kudos to Emily Flanagan tonight," Maurer said. "She fought all night and her play was evident of that."
Lehigh will look to bounce back Friday night when it hosts its archrival Lafayette at 7 p.m. The match will be “Dig Pink” night at Leeman-Turner Arena which was created by the Side-Out foundation to raise awareness for breast cancer research.
Lehigh - Delaware State Post-Match Extra!
