Saturday, September 14
Baltimore, Md.
12:00 PM
Lehigh University
5-3,0-0Patriot
3
vs
0
Coppin State University
4-7,0-0MEAC
1
2
3
F
Lehigh
28
25
25
3
Coppin St.
26
11
23
0
Photo by: Paige Moen
Lehigh Completes Perfect Day In Sweeps Of Coppin State And UMBC
9/14/2024 10:01:00 PM | Volleyball
BALTIMORE – Lehigh volleyball continued play in Maryland on Saturday prior to the start of Patriot League play next weekend. The Mountain Hawks enjoyed a perfect day at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, sweeping both Coppin State and host UMBC in three sets each.
"It was quite the day for us," said head coach Alexa Keckler. "The level of fight and intensity from the players was outstanding and a huge group effort."
Lehigh (6-3) found themselves facing a sizable deficit against Coppin State (4-8) deep into the first set. After an even beginning to the frame, the Eagles conducted a 6-0 run to lead 13-8, and eventually leading by as many as seven points. However, the Mountain Hawks weren't deterred, rallying to tie the set at 21 apiece. After an intense back-and-forth, Lehigh completed the comeback to win the set 28-26.
Fresh off their stunning comeback in set one, Lehigh dominated Coppin State in set two. After dropping the first two points to the Eagles, the Mountain Hawks went on an 11-0 run, which included four service aces from sophomore Alysia Fingall. Lehigh rode this momentum to an impressive 25-11 win in set two.
In set three, the Mountain Hawks once again faced a sizable deficit. Coppin State began the frame with a 4-0 lead, and led by six points on multiple occasions. The Eagles threatened to extend the match after leading 19-13, but Lehigh closed out the set with a 12-4 run to seal the three-set victory.
Junior Natalie Luscomb paced the Mountain Hawks with 11 kills on the afternoon. Senior Makena Smith and sophomore Abby Felkai tallied 16 and 15 assists respectively while Fingall led the team with nine digs.
"We started off a bit slow against Coppin State and then found our groove," said Keckler. "We had some great play from our middles and Natalie which made a big difference."
Prior to the start of Lehigh's bout with UMBC (0-7), the Retrievers unveiled their latest America East championship banner, of which they have won the previous four. However, the Mountain Hawks spoiled the fun with a narrow 25-23 win in set one. Neither team led by more than two points until Lehigh gained a 21-18 lead, an advantage they would not relinquish.
After a competitive set one, the second set of the night provided even more drama. Lehigh and UMBC traded blows all the way throughout the frame, culminating in a 25-25 tie. The two sides continued to trade points until the Mountain Hawks finally broke through to pick up a hard-fought 31-29 win in set two. The Retrievers led for the majority of the third set, although the score remained within reach for Lehigh. The set once again went past 25 points, and Lehigh was able to seal their perfect day with a 29-27 win in the third set.
Senior Emily Stewart had a sensational night against UMBC, notching a team high ten kills on a .667 hitting percentage to go along with nine block assists. Smith notched her fifth 20+ assist match of the season with 21 while first-year Sophia Bond led the squad with ten digs.
"The match against UMBC was such a fun and competitive one," said Keckler. "I am so proud of our players for never letting up. They didn't back down. In set two, our defensive specialist was swinging on the outside and we handled the chaos. It was remarkable."
Lehigh returns to Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall for the first time this season and open Patriot League play on Friday, September 20 against the Army West Point Black Knights. The Mountain Hawks will host the Colgate Raiders on Saturday.
"This weekend was a strong finish as we head into Patriot League play," said Keckler. "Getting today's wins certainly provides a strong foundation for next weekend. Excited to get started."
Like Lehigh Volleyball on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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"It was quite the day for us," said head coach Alexa Keckler. "The level of fight and intensity from the players was outstanding and a huge group effort."
Lehigh (6-3) found themselves facing a sizable deficit against Coppin State (4-8) deep into the first set. After an even beginning to the frame, the Eagles conducted a 6-0 run to lead 13-8, and eventually leading by as many as seven points. However, the Mountain Hawks weren't deterred, rallying to tie the set at 21 apiece. After an intense back-and-forth, Lehigh completed the comeback to win the set 28-26.
Fresh off their stunning comeback in set one, Lehigh dominated Coppin State in set two. After dropping the first two points to the Eagles, the Mountain Hawks went on an 11-0 run, which included four service aces from sophomore Alysia Fingall. Lehigh rode this momentum to an impressive 25-11 win in set two.
In set three, the Mountain Hawks once again faced a sizable deficit. Coppin State began the frame with a 4-0 lead, and led by six points on multiple occasions. The Eagles threatened to extend the match after leading 19-13, but Lehigh closed out the set with a 12-4 run to seal the three-set victory.
Junior Natalie Luscomb paced the Mountain Hawks with 11 kills on the afternoon. Senior Makena Smith and sophomore Abby Felkai tallied 16 and 15 assists respectively while Fingall led the team with nine digs.
"We started off a bit slow against Coppin State and then found our groove," said Keckler. "We had some great play from our middles and Natalie which made a big difference."
Prior to the start of Lehigh's bout with UMBC (0-7), the Retrievers unveiled their latest America East championship banner, of which they have won the previous four. However, the Mountain Hawks spoiled the fun with a narrow 25-23 win in set one. Neither team led by more than two points until Lehigh gained a 21-18 lead, an advantage they would not relinquish.
After a competitive set one, the second set of the night provided even more drama. Lehigh and UMBC traded blows all the way throughout the frame, culminating in a 25-25 tie. The two sides continued to trade points until the Mountain Hawks finally broke through to pick up a hard-fought 31-29 win in set two. The Retrievers led for the majority of the third set, although the score remained within reach for Lehigh. The set once again went past 25 points, and Lehigh was able to seal their perfect day with a 29-27 win in the third set.
Senior Emily Stewart had a sensational night against UMBC, notching a team high ten kills on a .667 hitting percentage to go along with nine block assists. Smith notched her fifth 20+ assist match of the season with 21 while first-year Sophia Bond led the squad with ten digs.
"The match against UMBC was such a fun and competitive one," said Keckler. "I am so proud of our players for never letting up. They didn't back down. In set two, our defensive specialist was swinging on the outside and we handled the chaos. It was remarkable."
Lehigh returns to Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall for the first time this season and open Patriot League play on Friday, September 20 against the Army West Point Black Knights. The Mountain Hawks will host the Colgate Raiders on Saturday.
"This weekend was a strong finish as we head into Patriot League play," said Keckler. "Getting today's wins certainly provides a strong foundation for next weekend. Excited to get started."
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
Lehigh
Coppin
Kills
39
34
Errors
7
21
Attempts
92
102
Hitting %
.348
.127
Points
62.0
43.0
Assists
37
32
Aces
14
8
Blocks
9
1
Game Leaders
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
5
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
DS/L
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballRS
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballMB
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