Friday, October 18
Easton, PA
7:00 PM
Lehigh University
at
Lafayette
Photo by: Chester Toye '17
Mountain Hawks head to Lafayette and host NJIT this weekend
10/17/2013 9:56:00 AM | Volleyball
Lafayette (Friday): Watch Live (Patriot League Network) | Live Stats | Lehigh-Lafayette Rivalry
NJIT (Saturday): Live Stats | Dig Pink Game
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh volleyball team will begin the second half of Patriot League play on Friday night when the Mountain Hawks take on rival Lafayette for the second time this season. The team will then host NJIT on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Dig Pink Game and final non-league tilt of the season.
"At the halfway point of Patriot League play, the thing I'd like to see develop more before the Patriot League Tournament would be the team's confidence," said head coach Bob Bertucci. "We were close in just about every game, but just fell short of beating anyone of those teams. We know that we can compete with them, but now we have to get to the point that we know we can beat them."
The Mountain Hawks are coming off a four-set loss to perennial Patriot League power American last Saturday at home. Lehigh took the first set from the Eagles, but couldn't maintain control as American grabbed the following three sets to secure a 3-1 victory and notch its 20th win of the season. Mountain Hawk senior Rachel Charles tallied a season-high 24 digs in the match, while senior Amanda Clark notched a .346 hitting percentage with 12 kills.
The Mountain Hawks currently rank first in the Patriot League and third in the nation in service aces, averaging 1.89 per set. Lehigh sits atop the Patriot League leaderboard in assists as well, averaging 12.80 per set. Charles' 4.70 digs per set average is the best in the Patriot League, while Junior Jade Van Streepen ranks third with her average of 3.25 kills per set
Friday's match in Easton will be the second of the season between Lehigh and Lafayette. The Mountain Hawks claimed the first match, 3-1, in the season's Patriot League opener. The Leopards won the first set, 25-20, but Lehigh completed a dominant come back to take the next three sets 25-9, 25-19 and 25-14. Van Streepen and Kaylynn Genemaras each tallied 17 kills in the match while Van Streepen and senior Courtney McCutchan notched double-doubles.
"We can never take Lafayette lightly because this rivalry is so emotional," said Bertucci. "Lafayette doesn't have the best chance of making it to the Patriot League Tournament because of their record through the first half of league play. One of the things Lafayette can do to make its season successful is beat Lehigh. I'm expecting them to be very well prepared for our match on Friday night."
The Leopards currently sit in second-to-last place in the Patriot League after compiling a 1-6 record through the first half of league play. The team's only league win came in the form of a 3-1 victory over Bucknell. Four of Lafayette's six league losses came by way of shutout, while the Leopards managed to win one set against Lehigh and Loyola. In their most recent match, the Leopards fell in three sets on the road at Holy Cross.
Karissa Ciliento leads the Leopards with 175 kills, followed by Brianne Giangiobbe with 144. Lauren Pisauro has notched 265 digs, while Samantha Volk has tallied 387 assists. Pisauro sits right behind Charles on the Patriot League digs leaderboard, currently in second place with an average of 2.69 per set.
The Mountain Hawks aim to defeat their neighbors for the ninth straight time on Friday night. Lehigh leads the all-time rivalry 50-29.
The Mountain Hawks will then return home on Saturday to host the Dig Pink Game against NJIT at 4 p.m. in Leeman-Turner Arena. The Dig Pink Game is held in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month and all proceeds from the match will be donated to the Side-Out Foundation which aims to further breast cancer awareness, education and patient services. Those wishing to participate can donate at the match, or online here.
The Highlanders carry a five match winning streak, their longest in four years, into Saturday's match. The team defeated Manhattan in a five-set battle on Wednesday night. NJIT brings a 7-10 overall mark and a 3-4 road record into Saturday's match.
Danica Vukotic leads the Highlanders with 203 kills, followed by Cathy Leung with 134. Fran Edmondson has tallied 303 assists and Katie Goswick has recorded 209 digs.
Saturday's match will be the fourth meeting between NJIT and Lehigh. The Highlanders won the last match, 3-2, in 2011 and hold a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series.
Following the matches against Lafayette and NJIT, the Mountain Hawks will remain home next weekend to host Holy Cross and first-place Army. Lehigh will take on the Crusaders at 7 p.m. on Friday Oct. 25 and the Black Knights at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The match against Army will serve as senior day for the Mountain Hawks as seniors Amanda Clark, Rachel Charles, Courtney McCutchan and Dana Raber will be honored.
Like Lehigh Volleyball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
NJIT (Saturday): Live Stats | Dig Pink Game
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh volleyball team will begin the second half of Patriot League play on Friday night when the Mountain Hawks take on rival Lafayette for the second time this season. The team will then host NJIT on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Dig Pink Game and final non-league tilt of the season.
"At the halfway point of Patriot League play, the thing I'd like to see develop more before the Patriot League Tournament would be the team's confidence," said head coach Bob Bertucci. "We were close in just about every game, but just fell short of beating anyone of those teams. We know that we can compete with them, but now we have to get to the point that we know we can beat them."
The Mountain Hawks are coming off a four-set loss to perennial Patriot League power American last Saturday at home. Lehigh took the first set from the Eagles, but couldn't maintain control as American grabbed the following three sets to secure a 3-1 victory and notch its 20th win of the season. Mountain Hawk senior Rachel Charles tallied a season-high 24 digs in the match, while senior Amanda Clark notched a .346 hitting percentage with 12 kills.
The Mountain Hawks currently rank first in the Patriot League and third in the nation in service aces, averaging 1.89 per set. Lehigh sits atop the Patriot League leaderboard in assists as well, averaging 12.80 per set. Charles' 4.70 digs per set average is the best in the Patriot League, while Junior Jade Van Streepen ranks third with her average of 3.25 kills per set
Friday's match in Easton will be the second of the season between Lehigh and Lafayette. The Mountain Hawks claimed the first match, 3-1, in the season's Patriot League opener. The Leopards won the first set, 25-20, but Lehigh completed a dominant come back to take the next three sets 25-9, 25-19 and 25-14. Van Streepen and Kaylynn Genemaras each tallied 17 kills in the match while Van Streepen and senior Courtney McCutchan notched double-doubles.
"We can never take Lafayette lightly because this rivalry is so emotional," said Bertucci. "Lafayette doesn't have the best chance of making it to the Patriot League Tournament because of their record through the first half of league play. One of the things Lafayette can do to make its season successful is beat Lehigh. I'm expecting them to be very well prepared for our match on Friday night."
The Leopards currently sit in second-to-last place in the Patriot League after compiling a 1-6 record through the first half of league play. The team's only league win came in the form of a 3-1 victory over Bucknell. Four of Lafayette's six league losses came by way of shutout, while the Leopards managed to win one set against Lehigh and Loyola. In their most recent match, the Leopards fell in three sets on the road at Holy Cross.
Karissa Ciliento leads the Leopards with 175 kills, followed by Brianne Giangiobbe with 144. Lauren Pisauro has notched 265 digs, while Samantha Volk has tallied 387 assists. Pisauro sits right behind Charles on the Patriot League digs leaderboard, currently in second place with an average of 2.69 per set.
The Mountain Hawks aim to defeat their neighbors for the ninth straight time on Friday night. Lehigh leads the all-time rivalry 50-29.
The Mountain Hawks will then return home on Saturday to host the Dig Pink Game against NJIT at 4 p.m. in Leeman-Turner Arena. The Dig Pink Game is held in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month and all proceeds from the match will be donated to the Side-Out Foundation which aims to further breast cancer awareness, education and patient services. Those wishing to participate can donate at the match, or online here.
The Highlanders carry a five match winning streak, their longest in four years, into Saturday's match. The team defeated Manhattan in a five-set battle on Wednesday night. NJIT brings a 7-10 overall mark and a 3-4 road record into Saturday's match.
Danica Vukotic leads the Highlanders with 203 kills, followed by Cathy Leung with 134. Fran Edmondson has tallied 303 assists and Katie Goswick has recorded 209 digs.
Saturday's match will be the fourth meeting between NJIT and Lehigh. The Highlanders won the last match, 3-2, in 2011 and hold a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series.
Following the matches against Lafayette and NJIT, the Mountain Hawks will remain home next weekend to host Holy Cross and first-place Army. Lehigh will take on the Crusaders at 7 p.m. on Friday Oct. 25 and the Black Knights at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The match against Army will serve as senior day for the Mountain Hawks as seniors Amanda Clark, Rachel Charles, Courtney McCutchan and Dana Raber will be honored.
Like Lehigh Volleyball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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