Final Stats

EASTON, Pa. – Despite dropping the opening set of the game to Bucknell, the Lafayette volleyball team bounced back and claimed a 3-1 Patriot League victory over the Bison on Saturday night at Kirby Sports Center.

"I am really proud of the overall effort we had tonight," Lafayette head volleyball coach Terri Dadio Campbell said. "It was great for the team to really come together and execute for a solid Patriot League win."

The Leopards (4-18, 2-10 PL) received contributions from a bevy of offensive weapons. Sophomore Katie Rethmeyer finished second on the team in kills, but was the most efficient, connecting on 10 of her 17 attacks for a .588 hitting percentage. She also assisted on three blocks and had a solo block in the win over the Bison (4-19, 2-9 PL).

"Rethmeyer had a really strong offensive presence, but she also did a good job defensively with some great blocks and some smart net play," Dadio Campbell said.

Sophomore setter Maria Balus had a plethora of options to turn to while distributing the ball and she capped off her night with 45 assists, which ties her season high. Senior Tori Smith tallied a team-high 12 kills, while junior Elizabeth Walsh added 11.

"Having three players with double-digit kills was outstanding for us and really paved the way for this win," Dadio Campbell stated.

In the opening set, the Bison grabbed an early 5-1 advantage and were able to hold the narrow lead all the way until the end, where they eventually won 25-19.

The Leopards responded by jumping out to an 8-3 lead in the second set. Smith, Rethmeyer and Walsh were responsible for seven of those eight points.

The Bison knotted the set up at 8-8 after a 5-0 run, but the Leopards continued to connect on their attacks and began to inch away. Lafayette led 20-12 late, however, the Bison erupted for a 10-3 run that made it a one-point game.

Following a Lafayette attacking error and a kill by the Bison, it was set-point for the Leopards, before Smith sealed the 25-23 victory with a kill.

In the third set, the Leopards benefited from multiple errors by the Bison. It was 14-8 in favor of the Maroon and White when Bucknell called their first timeout of the set. Out of the break, the Bison put up three unanswered points, but after kills by Jet Manzi and Kelly Flynn as well as a Bucknell error, the Leopards expanded their lead to six.

Lafayette was then able to hold onto the lead and take the set, 25-16.

The fourth set was neck-and-neck and Bucknell had the 14-13 advantage after a 6-2 run. However, Lafayette put up five straight points to grab the lead. Rethmeyer and Manzi combined for four of the Leopards' final seven points to help Lafayette capture its second conference victory of the season.

The Leopards will return to the court on Friday, Nov. 4 for a Patriot League road contest against Army West Point.