Sept. 25, 2009

Box Score

EASTON, Pa. - The volleyball team opened its 2009 Patriot League season against one of the toughest opponents it will face all year in American, the defending league champion. The Leopards put up a fight but ultimately dropped a 3-0 decision to the Eagles in front of large crowd of fans at Kirby Sports Center.

American (6-7, 1-0) won by 25-18, 25-15 and 25-21 scores to hand Lafayette (7-4, 0-1) just its second home loss of the year. Cara Mulholland led both squads with nine kills while Kari Horn added a match-high 14 digs. Ashton Rossi had 21 assists. The Leopards only hit for a .062 attacking percentage, however, while the Eagles countered with a .221 showing and had eight service aces to Lafayette's zero.

The first set was a closely-contested one and the score was tied midway through the action at 13-all. American's Claire Recht broke the tie with a kill to put her team ahead for good.

In the second set, the Eagles jumped out to an early 10-6 lead but the Leopards continued fighting. They closed the gap to just one point (10-9) but never pulled any closer as American went on to the 10-point win.

American again took an early advantage (6-1) in what would be the third and final set. A late Lafayette rally saw the team come back from a 10-point deficit, however, to make it a three-point game (24-21), but the Eagles won the set and the match on a Leopards service error.

Lafayette continues league play tomorrow when the team hosts Navy at noon.