Lehigh University Athletics
Wednesday, September 18
7:00 PM
Lehigh University
vs
Lafayette
Lehigh to host Lafayette in Patriot League opener Wednesday
9/17/2013 11:41:00 AM | Volleyball
Watch Live (Patriot League Network) | Live Stats | Lehigh vs. Lafayette Tradition
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After accumulating an 8-3 non-league record and its best start to a season since 1986, the Lehigh volleyball team will set its sights on rival Lafayette for a 7 p.m. Wednesday night showdown in Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall. The Mountain Hawks aim to win their eighth straight match over Lafayette as they renew the rivalry with the Leopards for the 79th time.
"In my third year at Lehigh I'm starting to realize the history behind the rivalry," said Head Coach Bob Bertucci. "It's a big deal. We're going to have to take them seriously and we're going to have to be well prepared for the entire match."
The game will serve as the Patriot League opener for both teams. It will be the first of the Mountain Hawks' 16 league matches this year.
Lehigh rides a three game win streak into the showdown with the Leopards. The Mountain Hawks defeated three of their four opponents in this past weekend's Crosstown Invitational, including two impressive 3-0 wins over Quinnipiac and St. Francis (N.Y.) and a hard-fought 3-2 win over a tough Marist team.
The Mountain Hawks are led by juniors Jade Van Streepen and Kaylynn Genemaras who have tallied 87 kills each. Sophomore Amy Matula leads the team with 317 assists and 15 service aces. Sophomore Ana Vhrel has notched 23 total blocks while freshman Kianna Carroll has tallied 16.
Lafayette carries an 8-2 record into Wednesday night's battle and has played seven of the same opponents as Lehigh. Both teams accumulated 6-1 records against those seven competitors. The Leopards are coming off two straight 3-0 wins over Quinnipiac and Morgan State in the Crosstown Tournament.
The Leopards are led by senior Karissa Ciliento who has tallied 94 kills, followed by Brianne Giangiobbe with 84. Freshman Samantha Volk leads the team with 204 assists. Michelle Woodworth has recorded 115 digs, while Lauren Pisauro has notched 103.
"Lafayette has been off to a great start and they look like they're a very good team," said Bertucci. "They're on the top of their game early in the season. I'm glad we're playing them at home for the first game of this year's series."
The Mountain Hawks lead the Patriot League and are currently third in NCAA Division I with 2.10 service aces per set. Lafayette follows in second place in the Patriot League and fifth in the NCAA with 2.00 aces per set. Lehigh has averaged 13 kills per set while Lafayette has notched 12.28. Lafayette has averaged 16.50 digs per set and Lehigh follows with 15.10.
Lehigh leads the all-time rivalry 49-29. The Mountain Hawks have won seven straight matches over Lafayette, with the last three matches being 3-0 victories. The two programs first met in 1974.
"The rivalry has gotten more intense each year because we've understood the importance of it more and more," said Mountain Hawk senior Courtney McCutchan. "The three other seniors and I have never lost to Lafayette, so we take it very seriously and we want to keep that streak alive."
The Lehigh vs. Lafayette showdown will air for free live on the Patriot League Network. Live stats will also be available for the match.
Like Lehigh volleyball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After accumulating an 8-3 non-league record and its best start to a season since 1986, the Lehigh volleyball team will set its sights on rival Lafayette for a 7 p.m. Wednesday night showdown in Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall. The Mountain Hawks aim to win their eighth straight match over Lafayette as they renew the rivalry with the Leopards for the 79th time.
"In my third year at Lehigh I'm starting to realize the history behind the rivalry," said Head Coach Bob Bertucci. "It's a big deal. We're going to have to take them seriously and we're going to have to be well prepared for the entire match."
The game will serve as the Patriot League opener for both teams. It will be the first of the Mountain Hawks' 16 league matches this year.
Lehigh rides a three game win streak into the showdown with the Leopards. The Mountain Hawks defeated three of their four opponents in this past weekend's Crosstown Invitational, including two impressive 3-0 wins over Quinnipiac and St. Francis (N.Y.) and a hard-fought 3-2 win over a tough Marist team.
The Mountain Hawks are led by juniors Jade Van Streepen and Kaylynn Genemaras who have tallied 87 kills each. Sophomore Amy Matula leads the team with 317 assists and 15 service aces. Sophomore Ana Vhrel has notched 23 total blocks while freshman Kianna Carroll has tallied 16.
Lafayette carries an 8-2 record into Wednesday night's battle and has played seven of the same opponents as Lehigh. Both teams accumulated 6-1 records against those seven competitors. The Leopards are coming off two straight 3-0 wins over Quinnipiac and Morgan State in the Crosstown Tournament.
The Leopards are led by senior Karissa Ciliento who has tallied 94 kills, followed by Brianne Giangiobbe with 84. Freshman Samantha Volk leads the team with 204 assists. Michelle Woodworth has recorded 115 digs, while Lauren Pisauro has notched 103.
"Lafayette has been off to a great start and they look like they're a very good team," said Bertucci. "They're on the top of their game early in the season. I'm glad we're playing them at home for the first game of this year's series."
The Mountain Hawks lead the Patriot League and are currently third in NCAA Division I with 2.10 service aces per set. Lafayette follows in second place in the Patriot League and fifth in the NCAA with 2.00 aces per set. Lehigh has averaged 13 kills per set while Lafayette has notched 12.28. Lafayette has averaged 16.50 digs per set and Lehigh follows with 15.10.
Lehigh leads the all-time rivalry 49-29. The Mountain Hawks have won seven straight matches over Lafayette, with the last three matches being 3-0 victories. The two programs first met in 1974.
"The rivalry has gotten more intense each year because we've understood the importance of it more and more," said Mountain Hawk senior Courtney McCutchan. "The three other seniors and I have never lost to Lafayette, so we take it very seriously and we want to keep that streak alive."
The Lehigh vs. Lafayette showdown will air for free live on the Patriot League Network. Live stats will also be available for the match.
Like Lehigh volleyball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
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