Oct. 28, 2005
Box Score
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - After taking the first two games, American ended Lafayette's third-game comeback effort en route to the 3-0 win over the Leopards Friday night at Kirby Sports Center. The defending league champion's power hitting and precise, dominating serving game proved to be too much for the Leopards to handle.
Despite dropping the opening two games, 30-20 and 30-21, Lafayette (13-12, 3-7) put together a solid game three to make things interesting before falling 30-24 in the end.
American (19-8, 10-1) appeared to be in complete control in the third session, opening up quick 12-4 lead and seemingly dominating the Leopards. However, Lafayette did not back down, as freshman setter Megan Carter served for three straight points, putting some life into the Leopards' offense. Kills from freshman Ainhoa Barturen and juniors Veronica Canto-Ponce and Shannon Fisher made it 15-8 midway through the action.
Having clearly rattled a previously solid American defense, Lafayette sophomore Michaela Donohue stepped to the line and ignited a 6-0 run that pulled her Leopards within two, 16-14. Senior Catherine Herchenroder capped the stretch with a kill that landed untouched to the opposite corner, forcing American to take a time out. Unfortunately for the Leopards, the Eagles were able to regroup, and the teams exchanged points down the stretch. A Canto-Ponce kill from Fisher pulled the Leopards within two, 26-24, but American tallied the next four points to end the match.
In game one, the Eagles jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, quickly setting the tone for the rest of the game. Lafayette trailed for the entire game, but did not surrender easily. The Leopards pulled within five, 21-15, after the team's scrappy defense won a long rally. However, American used power serving and hit .484 for the game to earn the 30-20 win.
Although the Eagles continued to hold the momentum at the start of game two, Lafayette was able to hang with American in the early going. The Leopards tied the game, 7-7, when Barturen's dig found Carter, and the setter found a hole in American's defense to win the point. Trailing 18-12 at the midway point, American's Elizabeth Maloney served for eight straight points to give the Eagles a commanding 26-12 lead that they would not relinquish.
After hitting .484 in game one, American cooled down slightly and hit .348 for the match. However, the Eagles came up with 10 blocks and held Lafayette to .124 to sweep the regular season series.
Canto-Ponce led the Leopards with eight kills, while Barturen and Donohue followed up with six apiece. Carter finished the match with 24 assists to go with three kills and four digs. Donohue and freshman Audrey O'Donnell finished with a team-best eight digs each.
Three American hitters finished in double-figures in kills, led by Cutrina Biddulph with 13.
The Leopards return to action tomorrow afternoon as the team hosts Navy in a league match-up beginning at 4 p.m.
