Lehigh falls to Colgate in tough 3-1 battle

Friday, October 4

7:00 PM

Lehigh University

12-5, 4-2PL

Colgate

10-5, 3-0PL

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Colgate	22	25	25	25	3
Lehigh	25	11	15	23	1

10/4/2013 9:23:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh volleyball team lost a tough 3-1 battle to defending Patriot League Champions Colgate on Friday night inside Leeman-Turner Arena. The Mountain Hawks fell for just the second time in nine games, as Colgate remained undefeated in Patriot League play.

"Colgate is a good team," said head coach Bob Bertucci. "They played a tremendous match. I was proud of the way our team fought through the fourth game. Colgate just has a few more tricks up its sleeve."

The Mountain Hawks jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but eventually the teams found themselves tied at seven in the first set. A service ace from Lehigh freshman Mariah Brantley put the Mountain Hawks ahead, which is where they stayed for the rest of the set. Highlighted by kills from four different Mountain Hawks and two service aces from sophomore Claire Bradshaw, Lehigh was able to claim a 25-22 set one victory to take a 1-0 advantage in the match.

Colgate jumped out to a commanding early lead in the second set, 11-4. The Raiders tallied a .500 hitting percentage in the second set en route to a 25-11 victory to even the match up at one apiece.

Lehigh claimed the early lead in the third set when the Mountain Hawks found themselves up 6-2. The Raiders then proceeded to go on an 11-3 run to grab a 13-9 lead. Colgate remained in control as a kill from Lindsay Young put the set away 25-15 in favor of the Raiders.

Finding itself down 2-1, Lehigh opened the fourth set neck-and-neck with Colgate. The set proved to be the tightest of the match with 14 ties and six lead changes. The teams exchanged points until they were even at 22. A kill from sophomore Leah Turner gave the Mountain Hawks another point, but the Raiders walked away with a 25-23 victory thanks to kills from Diane Seely and Kathleen Harris.

Lehigh sophomore Ana Vrhel impressed with a career-high 11 kills, a .444 hitting percentage and three total blocks. Junior Jade Van Streepen recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 12 kills and 17 digs. Sophomore Amy Matula notched 39 assists, while senior Rachel Charles tallied 18 digs.

"The way Lehigh is playing right now is indicative of the improvement that's been made over the last few years," said Bertucci. "I'm excited about what I'm seeing. It's just going to take us a little more to get those few extra points that will allow us to move to the top of the Patriot League."

The Mountain Hawks are back in action tomorrow as they head to in-state rival Bucknell for a 5 p.m. match. Live video of the match will be available for free via the Patriot League network.

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