Sept. 13, 2006

Box Score

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - It took a bit for Lafayette to heat up, but once the Leopards did the team was rewarded with a 3-2 win over La Salle. The Leopards played well when it counted, as the match reached a crescendo in a 15-8 deciding game victory for Lafayette on Wednesday night at Kirby Sports Center.

After dropping games one (19-30) and two (20-30), Lafayette bounced back with a pair of gutsy wins in games three (30-26) and four (31-29). The Leopards' attack struggled early on, but the team maintained composure to muster an eventual .148 hitting percentage on the night.

After the slow start to the match, a hungry Leopard club took the court in game three. Again the team was forced to climb out of an 8-3 deficit early, but a kill from senior right side hitter Veronica Canto-Ponce seemed put a jolt in Lafayette's game. The Leopards still trailed 16-11 at the midway point. From there, a kill at the hands of reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Week, Cara Mulholland, capped a 7-2 Lafayette run and forced La Salle head coach Val Cloud to call timeout with the scoreboard reading 18-18. The teams traded points down the stretch, but Lafayette was able to pull ahead as senior tri-captain Shannon Fisher served for three straight points to give her team a 26-25 lead. Lafayette outscored the Explorers 4-1 in a stretch that included decisive kills from freshman Ashton Rossi and Canto-Ponce, as Lafayette took the game, 30-26.

With momentum swinging the Leopards' way in a must-win situation, head coach Terri Dadio Campbell's team did exactly what she wanted in game four. The score seesawed during the opening minutes, but the Leopards were able to take a commanding 19-11 lead midway through. Sophomore Karla Barbiche provided the Leopards with six straight service points during the run. However, La Salle bounced back to knot the score, 20-20, and the teams would battle toe-to-toe from there. Lafayette was able to serve for game point after a Michaela Donohue kill that put the Leopards' up 30-29. Donohue then teamed with Fisher to block Jackie Kushman's attack attempt to seal the win.

Game five opened with Lafayette taking a quick 5-1 lead, and the Leopards' continued to dominate from there. The Explorers never got back within less than four points, 17-11, as the Leopards' 15-8 effort in the deciding game culminated in a hard-fought win.

Lafayette put three players in the double-figure column for kills. Fisher led the way with 16 to go with her five total blocks, while Canto-Ponce and Mulholland chipped in with 15 and 14, respectively. Canto-Ponce completed her first double-double of the season with 11 digs. Freshman libero Kari Horn amassed 25 defensive digs, while Donohue (18) and Barbiche (12) also provided support.

The win improved Lafayette to 3-4 on the season, while La Salle dropped to 4-6.

The Leopards return to the Kirby Sports Center floor for a showdown with Delaware State on Thursday night at 7 p.m.

Match Notes:

-The Lafayette win marked its first victory over La Salle since a 3-2 triumph on Sept. 26, 1994.