Lehigh University
Lafayette
Lehigh falls to Lafayette 3-1
10/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh volleyball team lost a hard fought match Friday night to its archrival Lafayette 3-1. In front of a packed crowd at Leeman-Turner Arena the Mountain Hawks were only able to take the second set as Lafayette controlled most of the match. With the loss Lehigh falls back to .500 with a 10-10 overall record and the Mountain Hawks drop to 3-2 in the league.
“It is disappointing that we lost, but we got outworked and outplayed tonight,” head coach Jenny Maurer said. “Lafayette deserved it, they really earned it. We’re going to have to go to sleep and wake up and get back to work.”
Lafayette started the first set off with four straight points and never looked back as it took the set 25-20.
The Mountain Hawks were able to make some adjustments in the second set and after a fast start they had the momentum. Lehigh got out to a 4-0 start in the set off great serving from sophomore Jessica Kurdika. The Mountain Hawks were able to build a 15-10 lead and they closed out the set 25-18.
“The second set we beat them by more points than they beat us in the other sets,” Maurer said. “It shows we’re capable of winning, but we have to deliver both offensively and defensively.”
Lafayette was able to start off fast in both the third and fourth sets and Lehigh couldn’t recover losing 25-19 in both sets.
Another freshman stepped up for Lehigh tonight as Taylor Poole tied her career-high with nine kills and had an impressive .533 hitting percentage in her first career match against Lafayette.
“We talked about maintaining our composure in such a hyped up match and Taylor did that,” Maurer said. “I am very proud of her.”
Defensively Lehigh was led by sophomore Angelika Kopacz who finished with 16 digs and freshman Margy Acton who finished with 13. Senior Mo McReynolds finished with a team-high 10 kills and Kurdika finished with 19 assists.
Even with the tough loss Lehigh still has a 3-2 record in the Patriot League and the Mountain Hawks have only league matches left on the schedule.
“Were in a good position right now,” Maurer said. “We need to continue working hard every day in practice and we will see good results,”
Tonight was Dig-Pink night at the volleyball match and fans showed their support and were able to raise $150 to support breast cancer research.
The Mountain Hawks are off until next Friday when they hit the road for the first time in league play and take on Colgate at 7 p.m.
Lehigh - Lafayette Post-Match Extra
