Oct. 1, 2005
Box Score
WASHINGTON, D.C. (www.lafayette.edu) - Playing its second match in as many days, the Lafayette volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision at Patriot League powerhouse American Saturday afternoon in the nation's capitol.
Lafayette was able to force a fourth game after outdoing the Eagles 30-27 in the third session.
In game one, the teams traded points until American was able to open a 20-14 lead. The Leopards threatened with four straight points late in the game to make it 29-25, but the Eagles put the game away on kill from American's Rubena Sukaj.
Both teams played game two by a similar script, as they exchanged points early before American built a 21-13 lead that the team would not relinquish. The Eagles clearly held the momentum and cruised to the 30-16 win.
Lafayette was able to pull off the third-game victory as the lead seesawed through the opening half and continued throughout. American rallied to go ahead 25-21 late, but the Leopards put together a 7-1 run and came away with the 30-27 win on an American ball handling error.
After the exhilarating win, the Leopards just could not muster another as the Eagles opened up an early 12-4 lead in game four. Lafayette pulled within three, but American put the game away down the stretch to seal the match.
For the second straight game, junior Veronica Canto-Ponce led the Leopards' attack with 14 kills (.139 percent) and four blocks. Classmate Shannon Fisher followed up with nine kills to go with 3.5 blocks.
Lafayette's offense uncharacteristically struggled throughout the day, as American held the team to .068 percent hitting. The Eagles hit .306 on the match.
Lafayette dropped to 10-7 on the season and 1-3 in Patriot League play, while the Eagles moved to 11-7 overall and a perfect 5-0 in the league.
The Leopards continue their five-game road stint as the team travels to Lewisburg, Pa. for a Patriot League match with Bucknell on Oct. 7 at 7:00 p.m.
