BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lafayette College volleyball team battled with archrival Lehigh on Friday night, playing a tight opening two sets before dropping the third to lose in straight sets in Patriot League action.

Freshman Leanna Deegan led the way for the Leopards (5-12, 0-5 PL) with nine kills while classmate Grace Tulevech tallied seven in the loss.

Lafayette got out to an early advantage in the second set, when freshman Madi Wahrmund made two quick rejections to spark the Maroon and White and sophomore Audrey Mangum made a diving dig to set up classmate Jenna Bailey to force a Lehigh timeout.

Mangum made 11 digs in the contest while Bailey had 12 to go along with her six kills while transitioning to an attacker.

Ultimately, the Lehigh (15-2, 4-1 PL) would win the comeback to win the set and take the match.  

The Leopards stay in the commonwealth on Saturday for a 5 p.m. matchup with Bucknell, part of a five-match Patriot League road trip.

For the latest on the Lafayette College volleyball program, follow the Leopards on Twitter @LafColVBall, Facebook at Lafayette Volleyball, and Instagram @LafayetteCollegeVolleyball.