Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lafayette women's volleyball team, led by 14 kills from senior Tori Smith, cruised to a 3-0 straight-set victory over Saint Peter's in its season opener on Friday evening at Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pa.

The opening set was tight through the first 20 points, but a 6-0 run by the Peacocks opened up a 15-9 lead midway through. However, the Leopards stormed back to tie it at 22-22 on a Smith kill. Lafayette continued that momentum, as another Smith kill sparked three of the last four points going the Leopards' way for a 25-23 set win.

In the second, the Maroon and White were in control for the majority. A 10-5 early lead evaporated into an 11-11 draw, but, following another three-point run from Lafayette, Saint Peter's never got within closer than two from that point forward, falling by a 25-18 score.

The third was much of the same as the Leopards held the lead from the opening point, yet another Smith kill. A service ace from sophomore Carly Kutschke provided the final blow in a 25-23, 25-18, 25-18 match victory.

Smith committed just one error to go along with her 14 kills on 32 total attacks, while classmate Katie Kidder, moving into a more offensive role this season, followed her with nine kills on 20 attacks for a .350 hitting percentage. Freshmen Jenna Bailey and Lexie Caraveo put together strong debuts for the Maroon and White, posting 30 assists and 19 digs in their respective roles to lead the team.

Lafayette will look to start its season with a 2-0 mark when it travels to Philadelphia on Tuesday for a showdown with La Salle at 7 p.m.