Wednesday, September 25
Bethlehem, Pa.
7:00 PM
Lehigh University
8-4,1-1Patriot
3
vs
0
Rider University
1-11,0-0MAAC
1
2
3
F
Rider
12
26
18
0
Lehigh
25
28
25
3
Photo by: Kit Keating
Mountain Hawks Cruise To 3-0 Sweep Of Rider
9/25/2024 9:57:00 PM | Volleyball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After a 1-1 opening weekend in Patriot League play, Lehigh volleyball hosted the Rider Broncs for a midweek contest on Wednesday evening at Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall. The Mountain Hawks cruised to a 3-0 sweep of the Broncs to pick up their eighth win of the 2024 season.
"This is our first midweek game of the season and I thought the team came out firing and was very aggressive," said head coach Alexa Keckler. "It was great to see that intensity."
Lehigh (8-4, 1-1 PL) set the tone early in the match against Rider (1-11), starting with the first set. The Mountain Hawks opened the frame with a 6-2 lead and continued to keep their foot on the gas until the score was set at 14-9. From this point, Lehigh unleashed a run for the ages, outscoring the Broncs 10-1 to reach set point, eventually earning a dominant 25-12 set one win.
After conceding a 13-point loss in set one, Rider matched Lehigh's intensity in set two. The Broncs held an advantage throughout the beginning of the frame, which included a four-point lead. However, Lehigh crawled back to tie the contest at 12 apiece, leading to much back-and-forth for the rest of the way. Rider eventually found themselves with set point at 24-23, but two unanswered from Lehigh extended the set. Ultimately, the Mountain Hawks came away with a 28-26 win in set two.
In set three, Rider continued to fight despite them trailing in the match. The Mountain Hawks and Broncs battled through the first half of the set, with neither team able to obtain a lead for very long. With the score set at 17-16 in favor of Lehigh, the Mountain Hawks went on a 5-0 run to increase their lead to six, allowing them to take the set 25-18 and complete their sweep of the Broncs.
It was a very efficient night offensively for Lehigh, who recorded a .333 team hitting percentage on the night. The Mountain Hawks were led offensively by junior Natalie Luscomb (10 kills, .529%), senior Emily Stewart (8 kills, .571%) and sophomore Alysia Fingall (8 kills, .471%). Setters Makena Smith and Abby Felkai dished out 18 and 15 assists respectively while senior Kyleigh Brown led the way with 24 digs. Junior Madison McCartney also assisted on five blocks for Lehigh.
"Our passing certainly contributed to our attacking percentage tonight," said Keckler. "Being in system makes a big difference for our attackers to find the floor. It was a great contribution from our attackers and the setters."
The Mountain Hawks return to Patriot League play and Grace Hall on Friday, September 27 against Lafayette in The Rivalry, presented by Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute. The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
"We definitely need to stay locked in with the same intensity serving and attacking," said Keckler. "Being at home this week has been great and our players really enjoy playing in front of their fans."
Like Lehigh Volleyball on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
"This is our first midweek game of the season and I thought the team came out firing and was very aggressive," said head coach Alexa Keckler. "It was great to see that intensity."
Lehigh (8-4, 1-1 PL) set the tone early in the match against Rider (1-11), starting with the first set. The Mountain Hawks opened the frame with a 6-2 lead and continued to keep their foot on the gas until the score was set at 14-9. From this point, Lehigh unleashed a run for the ages, outscoring the Broncs 10-1 to reach set point, eventually earning a dominant 25-12 set one win.
After conceding a 13-point loss in set one, Rider matched Lehigh's intensity in set two. The Broncs held an advantage throughout the beginning of the frame, which included a four-point lead. However, Lehigh crawled back to tie the contest at 12 apiece, leading to much back-and-forth for the rest of the way. Rider eventually found themselves with set point at 24-23, but two unanswered from Lehigh extended the set. Ultimately, the Mountain Hawks came away with a 28-26 win in set two.
In set three, Rider continued to fight despite them trailing in the match. The Mountain Hawks and Broncs battled through the first half of the set, with neither team able to obtain a lead for very long. With the score set at 17-16 in favor of Lehigh, the Mountain Hawks went on a 5-0 run to increase their lead to six, allowing them to take the set 25-18 and complete their sweep of the Broncs.
It was a very efficient night offensively for Lehigh, who recorded a .333 team hitting percentage on the night. The Mountain Hawks were led offensively by junior Natalie Luscomb (10 kills, .529%), senior Emily Stewart (8 kills, .571%) and sophomore Alysia Fingall (8 kills, .471%). Setters Makena Smith and Abby Felkai dished out 18 and 15 assists respectively while senior Kyleigh Brown led the way with 24 digs. Junior Madison McCartney also assisted on five blocks for Lehigh.
"Our passing certainly contributed to our attacking percentage tonight," said Keckler. "Being in system makes a big difference for our attackers to find the floor. It was a great contribution from our attackers and the setters."
The Mountain Hawks return to Patriot League play and Grace Hall on Friday, September 27 against Lafayette in The Rivalry, presented by Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute. The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
"We definitely need to stay locked in with the same intensity serving and attacking," said Keckler. "Being at home this week has been great and our players really enjoy playing in front of their fans."
Like Lehigh Volleyball on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Team Stats
Rider
Lehigh
Kills
30
41
Errors
22
9
Attempts
110
96
Hitting %
.073
.333
Points
35.0
52.0
Assists
27
41
Aces
3
4
Blocks
2
7
Game Leaders
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
DS/L
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballRS
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballMB
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