Nov. 7, 2005
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - For the second time in less than a month, the Patriot League has named Lafayette's Veronica Canto-Ponce its Baden Volleyball Player of the Week. The junior nabbed the honor for the week ending Oct. 16 as well.
Over Lafayette's stretch of three games last week, Canto-Ponce came up with a pair of double-doubles and hit .345 with just 13 errors. She averaged 5.10 kills per game, while registering 51 in the three matches, leading the Leopards to a 2-1 week.
Canto-Ponce put together a sparkling performance in the team's 3-0 win over Colgate on Friday night. The right side hitter dominated the match, hitting a season-best .472 with 22 kills on the night. Canto-Ponce also collected six blocks in the effort. She set the tone early in game one, registering seven kills on 11 attempts with zero errors.
On Saturday, the Leopards hosted a talented, aggressive Bucknell team and came up on the short end of a 3-0 decision. Despite the loss, Canto-Ponce managed her 16th double-double of the season with a match-high 14 kills to go with 18 digs.
In the team's final non-conference match-up of the season back on Nov. 2, Canto-Ponce was one of four Lafayette players to pass the double-figure plateau in kills as she led the team with 15 in a 3-1 win over Wagner. Canto-Ponce completed the double-double with 11 defensive digs and put up five assists.
The California native has been a staple in the Leopards' attack and has ranked among the Patriot League's best all season. Canto-Ponce ranks in the league's top 10 in four categories including kills (4th; 3.83 per game), aces (5th; 0.54), blocks (6th; 0.84) and overall points (3rd; 4.87).
As a team, Lafayette matched last season's win total at 15 with Friday's victory over Colgate. Following the weekend action, the Leopards moved to 15-14 overall and 4-9 in the league.
The Leopards will have a chance to own the most wins in over a decade for the program, as the team closes out the regular season against archrival Lehigh. On Senior Night, Lafayette will host the Mountain Hawks Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.
