Lehigh University
Colgate
Mountain Hawks fall 3-2 in final home match
11/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After building a 2-1 lead over Colgate on Saturday afternoon, the Mountain Hawks couldn’t hold on as the Raiders rallied for a 3-2 victory on Senior Day. Lehigh, coming off a big 3-0 win over Bucknell Friday night couldn’t put everything together and finish the match. With the loss the Mountain Hawks are now 13-14 overall and 6-6 in the Patriot League.
“It definitely was a sign that we’ve never been in this position before, having to clinch a game like this,” head coach Jenny Maurer said. “I’m confident the team can bounce back and learn from the experience. We will be better next time around.”
With the score tied 13-13 in the first Lehigh was able to rattle off seven straight points and take control of the match. The Mountain Hawks went on to win the set 25-19.
Colgate came back strong in the second set as both teams went back and forth. At the end of the set the two teams were trading points, but it was ultimately the Raiders who came out on top 28-26.
Lehigh played its strongest set of the night in the third. Behind another large crowd at Leeman-Turner Arena the Mountain Hawks built an early 10-4 lead and that would be all they needed as Lehigh won the set 25-20.
The match turned in the fourth set as Colgate was able to come out strong and grab all of the momentum. The Raiders won the set 25-14 and they were able to jump out to a 6-2 lead in the fifth. Lehigh was able to get within one point of Colgate, but the Raiders proved to be too tough as they closed the match with a 15-10 win.
Even though Lehigh didn’t come away with the win there were some positives to take from the match.
“We had them on their heels,” Maurer said. “We told the girls in the locker room to keep their heads up because this is the closest we’ve played them. If we can take care of business next week we will get another shot at them.”
The Mountain Hawks were able to once again get contributions from several different players as four players finished with double-digit kills. This included: sophomore Angelika Kopacz (14), senior Mo McReynolds (13), sophomore Brittany Reichwein with a career-high 11 and her classmate Chelsea Sheridan with 10.
“Mo had a great weekend and I am very proud of her,” Maurer said. “She maintained her composure on such an emotional day and did a good job of being effective.”
Kopacz also finished with 11 digs to give her the double-double and sophomore Emma Melendez had 23 digs to lead Lehigh defensively. Freshman Taylor Poole continued her great first season as she finished with eight kills and a .278 hitting percentage.
“What is great about Taylor is she has been able to come in and contribute all season,” Maurer said. “She has been able to sustain her play and get better with every match.”
The Mountain Hawks must now put this weekend behind them and finish the season strong to lock up a spot in the Patriot League Tournament.
“We wanted to get the win in front of our home crowd and alumni, but it was a well fought match,” Maurer said. "We know that any team in the Patriot League is beatable and that is a huge driving force in our confidence. We still have unfinished business and we have to show that we can get the “W”.
Lehigh will hit the road next weekend for its final two matches of the season. On Friday the Mountain Hawks will take on Holy Cross at 7 p.m. and Army on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Lehigh - Colgate Post-Match Extra
