Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh University
5-2
Villanova
2-4
Mountain Hawks drop 3-1 match to Villanova
9/10/2013 9:42:00 PM | Volleyball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- The Lehigh volleyball team lost a tough 3-1 (24-26, 25-20, 17-25, 17-25) match to Villanova inside Leeman-Turner Arena on Tuesday night. Mountain Hawk junior Jade Van Streepen had an impressive night and registered a double-double with 11 kills and 17 digs.
"We did a good job the first two games," said head coach Bob Bertucci. "I give a lot of credit to Villanova because they realized they really needed to come after us with the serve since we were passing pretty well. We've proved that we can play with anybody in the Big East right now, it's just a matter of the girls realizing their capabilities."
The Wildcats got off to an early 4-0 lead in the first set. The Mountain Hawks fought back and were able to tie the game at nine a piece. The teams were neck and neck and exchanged five lead changes throughout the rest of the set, until two Lehigh attack errors gave the Wildcats the 26-24 win, and the 1-0 advantage.
The Mountain Hawks roared back in the second set taking the lead right away. Lehigh stayed in control throughout the entire second set and didn't allow Villanova to have a single lead. Consecutive kills from Mountain Hawk freshmen Morgan Lowe, Katie Jennison and Kianna Carroll put the set away for Lehigh 25-20 to even it up at one a piece. The team finished the set with a .222 hitting percentage, which was its best of the night.
The third set began as a close battle between the two teams as they found themselves tied up at 11-11. Villanova went on an 11-4 run thanks to multiple errors from the Mountain Hawks. Lehigh grabbed three more points before a kill by Villanova's Michaela Berendt put the set away 25-17, giving the Wildcats the 2-1 lead.
The Wildcats carried their momentum into the fourth set, quickly jumping on Lehigh 18-7. The Mountain Hawks tried to claw their way back on a 10-6 run, but another kill from Berendt secured the victory for the Wildcats.
Van Streepen registered her season's first double-double to lead the Mountain Hawks. Senior Rachel Charles finished with 22 digs, and the team registered nine blocks. The Wildcats were led by Berendt with 15 kills, and Mariah Henley with 24 digs.
"We have some technical things that we have to correct for this weekend and we'll start to work on those tomorrow," said Bertucci. "Villanova was probably the toughest opponent we've had so far this year. We need to play opponents like that if we're going to be able to beat those teams."
Lehigh returns home this weekend when it co-hosts the Crosstown Invitational. The team's first match is slated for 3 p.m. Friday against Morgan State.
Like Lehigh Volleyball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
