Box Score

EASTON, Pa. - After a shaky start, Lafayette was able to hang neck-and-neck with two-time defending Patriot League champions American for a majority of Friday evening's match. The Eagles, however, were still able to dispatch of the Leopards in three sets and end the Maroon and White's home winning streak at seven matches to begin 2015.

Set scores were 25-11, 25-18, 25-22. Katherine Stevens and Kelly Flynn each totaled six kills, while Maria Balus and Lauren Pisauro registered eight digs apiece.

American (9-5, 1-0 PL) quickly jumped out to a 12-1 advantage in set one. Lafayette (9-4, 1-1 PL) was far more competitive for the rest of the frame, but could never get closer than nine points before dropping the opener.

Trailing 10-6 in the second set, the Leopards rattled off five consecutive points to take an 11-10 lead and force an Eagle timeout. American would respond with a 7-2 stretch to move back in front. Lafayette got back within three at 19-16 after a kill from Brianne Giangiobbe, but Allison Cappellino drilled one of her match-high 16 kills to end the set and give the guests a 2-0 advantage.

The Leopards had their best set in terms of attack percentage in set three, finishing with a .273 attack rate. Unsurprisingly, that frame was the most competitive of the night, with no team leading by more than two through the first 40 points. An Eagle attack error knotted the set at 20-20. After three straight points for American, kills from Stevens and Giangiobbe pulled the Maroon and White back within one, but the Eagles closed out the match with two straight points of their own.

Tonight's setback ended Lafayette's overall winning streak at four matches. American has now won 31 of its last 32 Patriot League contests, including postseason play.

The Leopards have a quick opportunity to get back on track, with a 2 p.m. home matchup against Loyola tomorrow afternoon. The Greyhounds (5-11, 0-1 PL) suffered a 3-0 defeat at Lehigh earlier this evening in their conference opener.