Lehigh Closes Opening Home Stand with Saturday Split

Saturday, August 26

Bethlehem, Pa.

3 p.m.

Lehigh University

1-2

Radford

3-0

Radford

Lehigh

Lehigh Closes Opening Home Stand with Saturday Split

8/26/2017 11:48:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Mountain Hawks closed out their opening weekend home stand in the Lehigh Fall Classic with a 3-0 victory over Coppin State in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader after falling 3-0 to Radford earlier in the day. Lehigh placed third in the tournament with a record of 1-2, while Radford won the tournament with 3-0 mark, Marist placed second (2-1) and Coppin State placed fourth (0-3).

Sophomore Lauren Bright earned an all-tournament team selection as she averaged 1.08 blocks per set on the weekend with 21 total kills. Junior Victoria Hemsath led Lehigh offensively on the weekend with 32 total kills to go with a 2.67 kills-per-set average and a .282 hitting percentage.

In the first match of the day, Radford controlled the first set, jumping out to a 21-6 lead on its way to a 25-11 first-set victory. The Highlanders had nine blocks in the first set, including three during an 8-0 run that turned a 9-5 lead into a 17-5 advantage.

The teams went back-and-forth early in the second set. Lehigh used a 3-0 run to take its first lead at 6-5. A few points later, the Mountain Hawks used another 3-0 run, which included a kill from Emily Poole along with a service ace and attack error, giving Lehigh a 10-8 advantage. The Mountain Hawks went on to open a 15-11 lead following an attack error. Leading 17-13, Radford responded in a big way, posting the next eight points and 12 of the final 14 to take the second set, 25-19.

Lehigh held an early 2-1 lead in the third set, Radford went in front, but a Kelly Bennett kill capped off a 3-0 Mountain Hawks' run to give them an 8-7 lead. The Highlanders tallied four of the next five points to take an 11-9 lead and wouldn't trail the rest of the way. Lehigh got as close as 15-13 then 21-18 and 24-21, but a Mallory McKnight kill gave Radford the 25-21 third-set victory and 3-0 match win.

In the final match, Lehigh controlled the pace early in the first by jumping out to a 6-3 lead highlighted by two kills by Bennett. Coppin State quickly responded and forced a tie at 7-7 and again at 8-8. From there, Lehigh went on an 7-0 run and took the lead for good and eventually claim a 25-15 win. LU posted four kills on its seven-point run, including two by Hemsath.

The two teams remained close through the early part of the second set before four kills, including two by Sabrina Lancaster, helped open up a 10-5 lead for LU. The Eagles showed their grit as they never let Lehigh pull away and cut the deficit to four points on multiple occasions. Lehigh maintained its lead and eventually closed out the set with consecutive kills by Hemsath and Ana Spangenberg.

Lehigh scored the first points of the third set, but Coppin turned the tables with a string of three-straight kills and jumped out to a 5-3 lead. Lehigh regained the lead with a 5-0 run to take an 8-5 advantage fueled by two kills by Lancaster. The two sides continued to battle and Coppin erased their deficit to knot the match up at 21-21. Lehigh buckled down and closed out the set with a 4-0 run, helped by two kills by Julia Pressly, to win 25-21 and seal the match win.

Lehigh returns to action Friday with a home contest against Saint Francis to kickoff the Crosstown Invitational. The Mountain Hawks will also host Central Connecticut State and Norfolk State on Saturday.