American spoils Lehigh’s Senior Day, 3-0

Saturday, November 2

Bethlehem, Pa.

3:00 p.m.

Lehigh University

13-13, 6-6PL

American

18-7, 11-1PL

American

Lehigh

11/2/2019 5:33:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh volleyball team shined for some long stretches on Saturday, but couldn't sustain a run as visiting American spoiled the Mountain Hawks' Senior Day, winning 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-19). Lehigh opened the second set on a 5-0 run, but the Eagles answered like they did most of the afternoon. Junior Hannah Wright led Lehigh with 14 kills.

"We played with fight and we played with intensity," said Lehigh head coach Alexa Keckler. "We were definitely working together to try and make a difference on the court. But ultimately, we need to amp that up all three sets, not just a big push of so many points. That's a focus of ours. Being able to run a full offense is another area of focus."

American jumped out to first-set leads of 5-1 and 10-4. Two straight Mountain Hawks' points pulled them within 11-7, but a 5-1 Eagles' run created separation as a service ace gave American a 16-8 advantage. American later used four consecutive points to take a 23-12 lead, Lehigh did respond with three of the next four – which included kills from Wright and senior Emily Poole – but it was too little, too late.

Two kills, two attack errors and a service ace helped the Mountain Hawk take a 5-0 second-set lead. However, American immediately answered with the next six to take a 6-5 advantage. From there, the teams stood tied at six, seven, eight, nine, 10 and 11, but a seven-point Eagles' run helped them open an 18-11 lead. Lehigh captured five of the next seven points, which included four kills from four different players, but American immediately answered with a 5-2 run of its own to take the set, 25-18.

The Eagles got off to a hot start in the third set, leading 4-0. With the Mountain Hawks trailing 7-4, they tallied four of the next five points, including kills from sophomore Alina Lam and Wright, and consecutive attack errors, to pull even at eight. The teams found themselves tied at nine and later 12, 14 and 15, but a 4-0 rally gave the Eagles the separation they would need. American went on to take a 23-17 lead, on the way to the 25-19 third-set victory.

Wright was the only Mountain Hawk with more than five kills, as she recorded 14. Lam led the way with 28 assists while senior Jess Donaldson tallied 14 digs. Poole finished with a team-high two solo blocks and two block assists.

"Today is definitely disappointing," said Keckler. "I feel like we could have competed a little bit better than what we did, but it is what it is and now we need to get back to work. We have another big weekend coming up. The girls are hungry, so we need to get ready to battle next weekend."

Before the match, Lehigh's six seniors – Ana Spangenberg, Lauren Bright, Victoria Hemsath, Poole, Donaldson and Julia Pressly – were recognized for their hard work and dedication to the program.

"The emotions of Senior Day are always tough, but they're an amazing group of young ladies," said Keckler. "They were extremely welcoming to our staff coming in two years ago. They've left a big legacy with their heart, their leadership and their intensity on the court. All of those things are amazing assets, which will be really hard to replace. Each one of them has really left an impression on this team that will be felt for some time."

Lehigh now hits the road next weekend for games at Army West Point Friday (8 p.m.) and Colgate Saturday (3 p.m.) before returning home to host Loyola next Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.

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Gallery: (11/2/2019) Volleyball Senior Day 2019