Box Score

WORCESTER, Mass. - The Lafayette women's volleyball team fell in straight sets to Patriot League foe Holy Cross on the road Saturday night.

The loss brings the Leopards record to 5-18 overall with a 2-8 mark in conference play. Holy Cross moves to 4-19 on the year with a 1-9 record in Patriot League play.

Holy Cross came out firing in the open set, using a 9-0 run to open a 15-7 lead over the Leopards. A kill from Adriana Heimbauer ended the Crusaders run, but Holy Cross remained in control of the set. A kill from Alexis Capers cut the deficit to 22-15, but the Crusaders lead was too much to overcome, as Holy Cross took the set 25-15.

The second set saw the Leopards trade blows with the Crusaders in the early going, as another Capers kill knotted the score at 10-10. Holy Cross used a 5-0 run to open a 15-10 lead following a media timeout. The Crusaders maintained their lead from there, winning the set 25-18.

Lafayette played the Crusaders tightly in the opening of the third set, taking advantage of an attacking error to cut Holy Cross' lead to 10-9. The Crusaders used a 6-0 run to open a 18-11 lead, but the Leopards responded with two kills from Katrina Ruggiero to make it 18-15 and force Holy Cross into timeout. The two teams traded points from there, but the Crusaders' lead proved insurmountable, as they held on to take the final set 25-18.

Capers led the way for the Leopards with six kills. Julia Howard recorded a team-high 13 assists, while Lexie Caraveo chipped in on defense with nine digs.

The Leopards return home next Saturday for the rivalry match against Lehigh, The contest is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start.