Lehigh topples Loyola in straight sets

Friday, September 27

7:00 PM

Lehigh University

11-4

Loyola University

3-10

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Loyola	16	20	21	0
Lehigh	25	25	25	3

9/27/2013 9:11:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa – The Lehigh volleyball team took down Loyola in straight sets (25-16, 25-20, 25-21) on Friday night inside Leeman-Turner Arena to hand the Greyhounds a loss in their first-ever match as a Patriot League member. The Mountain Hawks now sit at a 3-1 league record, which is their best start to league play since 2009. The victory served as Lehigh's fifth straight win over Loyola.

"It was good to see our girls play aggressively," said head coach Bob Bertucci. "We attacked with the serve very well, which caused Loyola some trouble. Tomorrow will be a tough match against a Navy team that won't make many errors."

The teams battled back and forth in the early goings of the first set to find themselves even at seven. Lehigh picked up speed to go on a 10-3 run and claim a commanding 17-10 lead. The Greyhounds were never able to recover from the early deficit as a kill from Mountain Hawk junior Kaylynn Genemaras put the set away 25-16 to give Lehigh a 1-0 advantage.

Loyola battled back in the second set to take an early 10-6 lead. The Mountain Hawks stormed back on an 8-2 run thanks to kills from three different Lehigh players to surge ahead 14-12. Lehigh never let Loyola back in front as the Mountain Hawks closed out the set on a service ace from Genemaras to claim the 25-20 set victory.

The third set proved to be the tightest battle of the night as the teams found themselves even at 17. Kills from sophomore Ana Vrhel and freshman Kianna Carroll gave the Mountain Hawks at 19-17 lead. The Greyhounds couldn't find momentum as the Mountain Hawks closed out the match on a 5-2 run, winning the set 25-21 and claiming their third Patriot League victory.

Vrhel finished the match with a .556 hitting percentage and four total blocks, while Carroll hit .667 with four kills. Sophomore Amy Matula notched 25 assists and senior Rachel Charles tallied 13 digs. The Mountain Hawks recorded seven service aces, four of which came from Charles. The team held Loyola to a .151 hitting percentage, while accumulating a .284 hitting percentage of its own.

The Mountain Hawks return to action tomorrow at 4 p.m. when they host Navy inside Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall.

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