Oct. 14, 2006
Box Score
WORCESTER, Mass. (www.lafayette.edu) - Behind a match-high 17 kills from senior Veronica Canto-Ponce, Lafayette cruised to a 3-0 win over Holy Cross in Patriot League volleyball action late Saturday afternoon at the Hart Center. The Leopards now stand 12-6 overall and 5-2 in the league.
The Leopards made quick work of Holy Cross with a 30-18 win in the opener before rolling to victories in games two and three.
Canto-Ponce and juniors Maura Kelly and Michaela Donohue each tallied three kills, as the Leopards hit for a match-high .312 en route to the 30-18 win. Lafayette made a statement early, as Donohue's three service points put the Leopards up 18-4. The team led by as many as 15 points, 29-14, following consecutive services aces from Canto-Ponce.
Lafayette cooled off slightly in game two, but not enough to let Holy Cross back in the door. Serving consistency from Dohonue, junior Karla Barbiche and freshman libero Kari Horn put the Leopards into the driver's seat, 25-13, following a pair of Cara Mulholland kills and a Holy Cross error. Lafayette cruised from there, holding at least an eight-point advantage.
In the closest game of the series, Lafayette hung on for a 30-26 win after the Crusaders rallied late. The Leopards jumped in front 15-8, as sophomore setter Megan Carter found Canto-Ponce for a kill midway through the action. The Crusaders then heated up and narrowed the gap to 23-20 on kill from senior Christine Strawson. Lafayette did not allow Holy Cross to get any closer than that, while back-to-back kills from Canto-Ponce and Donohue secured the win.
Canto-Ponce completed her second straight double-double, and eighth of the season, with 12 digs. Kelly, who also added three blocks, and Donohue each chipped in with nine kills. Senior Shannon Fisher and Canto-Ponce managed to get a piece of four blocks each. Horn stabilized a defense that held Holy Cross to a .078 hitting percentage with a match-best 23 digs.
Lafayette returns to the friendly confines of Kirby Sports Center for a non-league match with East Stroudsburg on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Lafayette is 9-2 at home this season.
