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Final Stats

EASTON, Pa. – Despite claiming the opening set against Holy Cross, the Lafayette volleyball team was unable to hold on and eventually fell 3-1 (25-21, 25-27, 22-25, 14-25) to its Patriot League foe on Friday night at Kirby Sports Center.

It was the first home contest for their Leopards since the middle of September and the night was highlighted by a 26-assist and 17-dig game from Maria Balus. The sophomore setter came into the match against Holy Cross (5-13, 1-4 PL) just 18 assists shy of the 1000 career mark and she got it in the third set, making her just the seventh player to achieve the milestone in Lafayette history.

Balus spread the ball around to her Leopard (3-12, 1-4 PL) teammates and Katherine Stevens and Elizabeth Walsh each tallied nine kills, while Katie Rethmeyer notched seven.

The night began with a tightly-contested opening set. The Crusaders led 8-7 after back-to-back kills by Luisa Soares, but the Leopards responded with an 8-1 run to grab the six-point advantage. Lafayette held onto the lead for the remainder of the set and grabbed the 25-21 victory.

After dropping the first set, the Crusaders came out strong in the second by going on an early 8-3 run. The Leopards cut the deficit to two after a kill by Walsh and two consecutive errors by Holy Cross. The Crusaders racked up four straight points, forcing the Leopards to take a timeout.

Out of the break, Lafayette ventured on an 8-1 run to take a 14-13 lead. The Leopards stayed hot and went on a six-point run. However, despite trailing by three, the Crusaders went on a 6-1 run to grab a one-point advantage.

The Leopards and Crusaders continued to trade points and were even at 25-25 before Holy Cross took the set on back-to-back kills by Lizzie Webb and Soares.

The third set was another close one and the Leopards led 14-13 after a serving error by the Crusaders. However, a 7-1 run by Holy Cross gave the Crusaders the lead. The Crusaders led 24-19, but the Leopards came climbing back late with three straight points to cut the deficit to two. The set was put away though on the next volley once the Crusaders’ leader in kills, Mandy Sifferlen scored.

The fourth and final set began with a 16-3 run by Holy Cross. Throughout the remainder of the set, the Leopards strung together a pair of runs, but the Crusaders’ lead proved to be insurmountable and Holy Cross grabbed the conference victory.

The Leopards will be back on the court tomorrow at 5 p.m. when they host Army West Point at Kirby Sports Center.