Box Score

EASTON, Pa. - After two tournaments and seven matches, Lafayette remains unbeaten at Kirby Sports Center this season.

The streak remained alive after a three-set victory over NJIT Saturday morning, the Leopards' first victory in the series since 2007, and a five-set thriller over Rider in the afternoon which saw the team rally from two sets down for the second time in 2015.

Lafayette dominated at the net all day long, out-blocking its opponents by a 28-6 margin. Kelly Flynn led the way with 10 blocks in each contest, while Brianne Giangiobbe had nine block assists on the afternoon. That duo, along with libero Lauren Pisauro, earned spots on the Lafayette Invitational All-Tournament Team. Pisauro had 48 digs today, including 35 in the comeback win over Rider.

"We're thrilled to be undefeated at home and heading into Patriot League play with some pretty amazing wins," head coach Terri Dadio Campbell said. "Our blocking was the key to our success today, and that's something we definitely need to carry into the conference."

The Leopards had lost seven straight against NJIT (4-8) prior to today's match, but they were in control from the outset on this occasion, ultimately finishing off the Highlanders 25-20, 25-11, 25-14. Lafayette did not trail in either of the final two sets, dispatching an opponent which had won both of its matches to begin the tournament yesterday.

Giangiobbe had a match-high 12 kills, while Tori Smith added 10 digs and a pair of aces and Elizabeth Walsh totaled seven kills with a .462 attack percentage.

The Broncs (6-8) started strong in the afternoon match, but the Leopards rattled off 13 straight points on the serve of Maria Balus to begin set three, and that set the tone for a 18-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-12 come-from-behind victory. Rider nearly completed a rally in the third set, trimming a 19-6 deficit down to 24-23, but a kill from Walsh ended the attempt and extended the match.

The Maroon and White jumped ahead early again in set four, winning 11 of the first 15 points and never trailing on its way to a fifth five-set match in the season's first 11 contests.

Two of Flynn's six solo blocks against the Broncs came in the decisive set, including a block which sealed the match, as the Leopards won the final four points after trailing 12-11.

Giangiobbe again led the way with 16 kills in the finale. She now has double-digit kills in 10-straight matches on the year. Katherine Stevens (12) and Walsh (10) also cracked double figures, while Balus had 43 assists, 20 digs, three aces and eight kills with a .727 attack percentage. Sarah Moult chipped in 13 digs defensively.

Lafayette, which has already surpassed last season's win total and has started 7-0 at home for the first time this century, will look to keep the momentum going on Wednesday when the team travels to Lehigh for its first conference matchup of the fall. That contest is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.