Final Stats

EASTON, Pa. -- In the Leopards' first match of the Lafayette Invitational, the Lafayette volleyball team was defeated by NJIT 3-1 (19-25, 19-25, 29-27, 20-25) on Friday night at Kirby Sports Center.

Elizabeth Walsh led the attack for the third straight game, racking up 11 kills. Walsh contributed heavily on the defensive end as well with a team-high five block assists. Sophomore setter Maria Balus commanded the distribution of the ball with 28 assists on the night.

In the opening set, the Leopards and Highlanders were deadlocked at 17-17 before NJIT called a timeout. Following the break, the Highlanders responded with an 8-2 run to close out the set.

The second set featured a pair of runs to get things started. First, the Leopards jumped out to a 5-1 advantage after a couple of errors by NJIT. However, the Highlanders responded with a 7-2 run of their own that featured a pair of aces by Olivia Welsch. With the score evened again, the Leopards turned to Walsh and she delivered with a pair of kills, but the Highlanders were able to grab a lead after going on a 6-1 run.

With a four-point advantage, the Highlanders began to expand their lead in large part to some errors by the Leopards and a couple of kills by Weronika Wiezik. NJIT was able to take the second set after Anneka Harris connected off of a pass from Anna Rodrigues.

The third set got started off with runs from both teams. With Sonia Musso serving, the Leopards scored five unanswered points. However, NJIT immediately knotted the score up 5-5. Lafayette and NJIT battled back and forth the entire rest of the set. The largest lead was three for NJIT, but the Leopards tied the game back up with a 3-0 run.

It was 27-27 after Tess Albyn recorded a kill for NJIT. Lafayette stayed in rhythm though and after a kill by Tori Smith, she went to serve and tallied an ace to win the set.

The Leopards took the early lead in the fourth and final set with a pair of aces from Smith and Kelly Flynn, as well as a pair of kills from Walsh. The Highlanders climbed right back into the set though and within time, the score was 15-14 with Lafayette holding the advantage.

NJIT rattled off four straight points, forcing the Leopards to call a timeout. Immediately out of the break though, the Leopards retook the lead after a Balus kill and two attacking errors by NJIT.

After trading points, the Highlanders went on a 6-1 run to claim the set and the 3-1 victory over the Leoaprds.

Lafayette will return to the court tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. to take on Manhattan on day two of the Lafayette Invitational at Kirby Sports Center.