Lehigh falls at first-place American

Friday, October 10

Washington, D.C.

7 p.m.

Lehigh University

12-9, 6-2

American

15-4, 6-0

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Lehigh	14	16	11	0
American	25	25	25	3

10/10/2014 8:42:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Lehigh volleyball team was never able to get its offense going Friday night as the Mountain Hawks fell in straight sets (14-25, 16-25, 11-25) at defending Patriot League champion American. The Mountain Hawks fall to 12-9 overall and 6-2 in the Patriot League while the Eagles improve to 6-0 in the league and 15-4 overall.

Junior Stephanie Slater led Lehigh offensively with ten kills and a .273 hitting percentage, while sophomore Morgan Lowe followed with eight spikes. Junior Amy Matula registered a team-best 17 assists and sophomore Mariah Brantley notched 18 digs. Lehigh hit just .103 as a team while American recorded a blistering .426 hitting percentage.

Kills from Slater, senior Jade Van Streepen and junior Ana Vrhel helped Lehigh exchange points with American in the early goings of the opening set. The Mountain Hawks trailed by just two at 9-7, but the Eagles used a 5-0 run to take a 14-7 advantage and never looked back from there. A kill from Erin Swartz ended the first set as the Eagles claimed a 25-14 victory and 1-0 match advantage.

Lehigh got out to an early 3-2 lead in the second set, but a Mountain Hawk service error sparked a 4-0 American run as the Eagles took the lead at 6-3. American quickly worked its advantage to seven at 12-5 before a Slater kill stopped a 4-0 streak from the Eagles. Lehigh pulled within five on two occasions, but that was the closest the Mountain Hawks were able to get as American continued to roll and picked up a 25-16 set two win and 2-0 match advantage.

The Eagles remained dominant in the third set and continued to hit lights out. The Mountain Hawks were only able to register back-to-back points once during the final set as American cruised to a 25-11 win and 3-0 match victory to claim the Eagles' 11th-consecutive win.

The Mountain Hawks now have a week off of action to prepare for next Friday's match against Lafayette. Lehigh faces the Leopards inside Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall at 7 p.m. and free video will be available on the Patriot League Network.

Like Lehigh volleyball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates and team content.