Friday, October 27
Bethlehem, Pa.
7:00 PM
Lehigh University
11-12,3-9Patriot
1
vs
3
American
15-9,8-4Patriot
1
2
3
4
F
American
23
25
25
25
3
Lehigh
25
17
23
23
1
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Lehigh Nearly Completes Late Rally, Falls 3-1 To American
10/27/2023 10:54:00 PM | Volleyball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh volleyball returned to play on Friday night from Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall for the first time in nearly two weeks. The Mountain Hawks played host to the visiting American Eagles, who earned a 3-1 victory despite a late push from Lehigh.
After honoring Makena Smith on her 2,000th career assist and Kyleigh Brown for her 1,000th career dig prior to the national anthem, Lehigh (11-12, 3-9 PL) and American (15-9, 8-4) got underway from Grace Hall. The beginning of the match was largely controlled by the Eagles, who jumped ahead to an early 11-5 lead. American continued to play well, extending their lead to a 20-13 advantage. From that point on, momentum began to swing towards Lehigh, and the Mountain Hawks uncorked a 12-3 run to take the first set off of AU.
American, who sits tied for third in the Patriot League standings, got back on track in the second and third sets. Although the second set remained close through the first ten points, the Eagles' offense rode their .364 hitting percentage in the frame to a large lead, winning 25-17. Lehigh battled with American back-and-forth in the third set, but it would be the Eagles who ultimately came out on top by a score of 25-23.
Up 2-1 in sets, the Eagles looked to finish the job against the Mountain Hawks in the fourth. Everything seemed to be going according to plan for AU early on, as they raced ahead to a 19-6 lead in the frame. However, American's 13-point lead would not close things out for them quite yet. The Mountain Hawks came soaring back, rattling off a 13-3 run of their own to cut their deficit to three. Despite the miraculous effort in the closing moments, American's lead was too much to overcome, as the Eagles went on to win the fourth set 25-23 and the match.
"We fought hard to come back in the fourth," said head coach Alexa Keckler. "The effort from the service line was incredible. We just have to keep ourselves out of the hole we dig."
Lehigh's leading attacker was first-year Alysia Fingall, who recorded 13 kills on the night. She also tied junior Megan Schulte for the team's most digs on the night with 16. Junior Emily Stewart led the blocking department for the Mountain Hawks with eight while junior Makena Smith put up 40 assists, her third match with 40 assists or more this season.
"Alysia played outstanding," said Keckler. "She's a calm presence and works hard."
The Mountain Hawks are back home on Saturday at 4 p.m. to take on Loyola. Lehigh will be honoring its four senior players as part of 'Senior Night' prior to first serve. The match can also be followed on live stats or ESPN+.
Like Lehigh Volleyball on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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After honoring Makena Smith on her 2,000th career assist and Kyleigh Brown for her 1,000th career dig prior to the national anthem, Lehigh (11-12, 3-9 PL) and American (15-9, 8-4) got underway from Grace Hall. The beginning of the match was largely controlled by the Eagles, who jumped ahead to an early 11-5 lead. American continued to play well, extending their lead to a 20-13 advantage. From that point on, momentum began to swing towards Lehigh, and the Mountain Hawks uncorked a 12-3 run to take the first set off of AU.
American, who sits tied for third in the Patriot League standings, got back on track in the second and third sets. Although the second set remained close through the first ten points, the Eagles' offense rode their .364 hitting percentage in the frame to a large lead, winning 25-17. Lehigh battled with American back-and-forth in the third set, but it would be the Eagles who ultimately came out on top by a score of 25-23.
Up 2-1 in sets, the Eagles looked to finish the job against the Mountain Hawks in the fourth. Everything seemed to be going according to plan for AU early on, as they raced ahead to a 19-6 lead in the frame. However, American's 13-point lead would not close things out for them quite yet. The Mountain Hawks came soaring back, rattling off a 13-3 run of their own to cut their deficit to three. Despite the miraculous effort in the closing moments, American's lead was too much to overcome, as the Eagles went on to win the fourth set 25-23 and the match.
"We fought hard to come back in the fourth," said head coach Alexa Keckler. "The effort from the service line was incredible. We just have to keep ourselves out of the hole we dig."
Lehigh's leading attacker was first-year Alysia Fingall, who recorded 13 kills on the night. She also tied junior Megan Schulte for the team's most digs on the night with 16. Junior Emily Stewart led the blocking department for the Mountain Hawks with eight while junior Makena Smith put up 40 assists, her third match with 40 assists or more this season.
"Alysia played outstanding," said Keckler. "She's a calm presence and works hard."
The Mountain Hawks are back home on Saturday at 4 p.m. to take on Loyola. Lehigh will be honoring its four senior players as part of 'Senior Night' prior to first serve. The match can also be followed on live stats or ESPN+.
Like Lehigh Volleyball on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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Team Stats
Americ
Lehigh
Kills
54
48
Errors
24
26
Attempts
171
156
Hitting %
.175
.141
Points
71.0
69.0
Assists
49
44
Aces
8
6
Blocks
9
15
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
8
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
L/DS
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballMB
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