Nov. 1, 2006

Box Score

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lafayette will use momentum from a 3-0 victory over Quinnipiac to guide the team into a critical Patriot League match-up against Lehigh on Friday night. The Leopards downed Quinnipiac 30-19, 30-20, 30-21 on Wednesday night at Kirby Sports Center.

Lafayette improved to 16-8 overall and is 11-2 when playing on its home court.

After cruising out to a 12-3 lead, the Leopards maintained control throughout the opening session. Senior tri-captain Veronica Canto-Ponce utilized a potent jump serve to collect seven straight points for the Leopards. She had two aces during the run, while kills from juniors Maura Kelly and Michaela Donohue also provided highlights. Lafayette never let Quinnipiac back within less than six points and held the Bobcats to a .165 attack percentage.

In game two, Lafayette again ran out to an early lead. This time it was Donohue offering consistency at the line, putting the Leopards in front 11-6. Donohue helped her own cause with a kill to break a 6-6 tie, while Canto-Ponce, Kelly and sophomore setter Megan Carter drilled kills during the stretch. The Bobcats were not going anywhere, however, as they cut the deficit to four, 18-14, midway through. Lafayette was able to stave off a comeback, rattling off five unanswered points to pull ahead 23-14 on an untouched, crosscourt kill from Donohue.

Lafayette was able to counter Quinnipiac's game-two .323 hitting percentage, as the Leopards' hit for a match-high .516 percentage (17 kills, 1 error). The Leopards spread the ball around, as Donohue managed five kills, while Canto-Ponce and senior Shannon Fisher added three. Single kills from Carter and freshman Melissa VanCak rounded out the Leopards' 17 total.

Game three provided the closest action, but the Leopards still came up with a 30-21 triumph. The team's traded points in the early going, but Lafayette took control late to seal the win. After tying the game at 2-all, the Leopards never trailed despite Quinnipiac's every effort to get over the hump. Clinging to a 22-20 lead, Van Cak served for the next five points to give her team a 27-20 cushion. Quinnipiac ended the game with consecutive errors.

Donohue led the Leopards' attack with 13 kills and a .462 hitting percentage. Kelly matched Donohue's precision (.462) with six kills and three blocks. Fisher hit for a match-high .750 on the night with nine kills and a pair of blocks, while Canto-Ponce chimed in with nine kills as well. Freshman libero Kari Horn's 11 digs anchored a Lafayette defense that held the Bobcats to a .165 attack percentage on the match.

For the second time this season, Lafayette hit over .400 as a team, posting a .404 percentage versus the Bobcats.

The Leopards, who stand fourth at 7-4 in the Patriot League, take on Lehigh at home on Friday night at 7 p.m.