Nov. 2, 2005

Box Score

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Four members of the Lafayette volleyball team passed the double-digit plateau in kills, leading the Leopards to a 3-1 win over Wagner in the team's final non-conference game of the season on Wednesday night at Kirby Sports Center.

The Leopards bounced back from an opening-game loss, and took the next three games en route to the team's first win in two matches. The team won 25-30, 30-22, 30-24, 35-33.

Although it took a bit for the Leopards to warm up, hitting a negative percentage in game one, once they did it resulted in a .435 percentage in game two. The Leopards got off to a 3-0 start, and led by as many as five, 12-7, early on. A stretch of kills from freshman Kathleen Kretzmer, senior Catherine Herchenroder, and juniors Katie Moore and Veronica Canto-Ponce rewarded the Leopards' balanced attack with a 16-12 advantage.

Wagner continued to stay close until Lafayette was able to use a 6-0 run to open a 27-18 lead. A pair of kills from sophomore Michaela Donohue highlighted the stretch. Behind the jump serve of Canto-Ponce, the Leopards earned the final three points of the game and won, 30-22, on a Herchenroder kill.

Once again Lafayette jumped out to an early lead, 5-0, in the third game. However, Wagner's Sirena LaBurn answered with five straight service points, forcing the first of eight ties throughout the game.

Leading 11-10, Lafayette gave up five unanswered points to fall behind 15-11 before Donohue ended the Wagner run with a kill from Moore. The Leopards continued to chip away at the deficit and tied the game, 23-23, on a back-to-back aces from sophomore Maura Kelly. After a kill from junior Shannon Fisher to tied the game again, 24-24, Moore stepped to the line and served for the final six points, giving Lafayette the 30-24 win.

The intensity of game three was more than matched with a close game four, as both teams went at it hard in the 35-33 marathon session. The teams exchanged points in the early going, but then Wagner's Lydia Emnott's serving consistency pulled her Seahawks away. Emnott served for 10 straight points, including a pair of aces, to give Wagner a 21-12 lead.

However, Lafayette slowly began to wane the deficit and eventually rode a 6-0 run to tie the game, 27-27. Donohue, Herchenroder and Canto-Ponce all registered kills during the stretch, while a monster hit from Fisher capped the run. The ensuing possessions included five ties as the teams literally fought point-for-point. Lafayette was able to seal the deal with the winning pair of points on a Wagner error and a kill from Fisher to take the 35-33 game.

Lafayette hit .222 on the night, while holding the Seahawks to .108 hitting. Canto-Ponce (15), Donohue (14), Fisher (13) and Herchenroder (11) all hit double-figures in kills. Canto-Ponce completed the double-double with 11 digs. Kretzmer finished with a match-high 18 defensive digs from the libero spot.

Getting her first start of the season, Moore turned in a double-double performance, recording 49 assists to go with 16 digs.

The win improved Lafayette to 14-13, while Wagner fell to 3-20.

The Leopards host Patriot League foe Colgate on Friday night at 7 p.m.