Lehigh wins Patriot League opener 3-1 over Lafayette

Wednesday, September 18

7:00 PM

Lehigh University

9-3

Lafayette

8-3

Lafayette

Lehigh

Lehigh wins Patriot League opener 3-1 over Lafayette

9/18/2013 9:16:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh volleyball team claimed its eighth straight win over Lafayette as the Mountain Hawks downed the Leopards 3-1 (20-25, 25-9, 25-19, 25-14) on Wednesday night inside Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall. The game served as the Patriot League opener for both teams, and marked the first time that Lehigh has won its league opener since 2009. The Mountain Hawks have now won four straight games to give them a 9-3 record on the season.

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"That was the best Lafayette team I've seen since I've been here," said head coach Bob Bertucci. "I think they're a viable contender in the league this year, and I think we'll have an even tougher match when we have to go play them at their place. I'm proud of the way the girls played tonight and rebounded from the first set loss."

Lehigh began the match slowly with a 25-20 first set loss to the Leopards. Lafayette led 8-7 early in the set before going on a 9-3 run. The Mountain Hawks tried to battle back but it wasn't enough as the Leopards put the set away on a kill from Karissa Ciliento to take a 1-0 advantage.

The momentum began to swing in the Mountain Hawks' favor in the second set. Lehigh grabbed commanding 9-3 lead early on and continued to dominate from there. The Mountain Hawks led by as much as 15 points when they found themselves up 20-5. The Leopards were only able to notch four more points before a kill from junior Jade Van Streepen gave Lehigh the impressive 25-9 victory. The Mountain Hawks recorded a .480 hitting percentage in the second set.

The third set was a bit more of a battle between the squads as they found themselves tied at 10. With the help of five Lehigh service aces, the Mountain Hawks were able to build a significant 20-14 lead. Back-to-back kills from Van Streepen eventually put the set away 25-19 in favor of Lehigh, to give the team a 2-1 advantage.

The fourth set was much of the same as the Mountain Hawks once again held an early lead. Throughout the final set Lehigh tallied 19 kills, its most of the night. Lehigh used an 12-3 run in the middle of the set to gain a 22-13 advantage which was too much for the Leopards to overcome. A kill from junior Kaylynn Genemaras put the match away for the Moutain Hawks as they took the final set 25-14.

Genemaras and Van Streepan both tallied 17 kills during the match, followed by senior Courtney McCutchan with 10. Van Streepan recorded her fourth double-double of the season as she also notched 10 digs. McCutchan also notched a double-double, her second of the season. Sophomore Amy Matula recorded a season high 51 assists, while senior Rachel Charles led the way with 17 digs. The team tallied nine blocks and 10 service aces.

The Mountain Hawks will hit the road this weekend for the first time this season. They will play a 7 p.m. Friday night game at Army before heading to Holy Cross for a 2 p.m. Saturday match.

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