EASTON, Pa. – The Lafayette volleyball team controlled things pretty much from start to finish on Friday evening at Kirby Sports Center, toppling archrival Lehigh by a 3-1 score in the return of The Rivalry.
 
The win is the first for the Leopards over Lehigh since a 3-0 victory in September of 2015 and marks the first victory of the season for the Maroon and White, improving the home side to 1-2. Lehigh falls to 0-3 in defeat.
 
Junior Leanna Deegan was a force on the outside throughout the night, registering a match-high 21 kills on 49 swings. Grace Tulevech added 12 kills as the other Leopard in double figures, while Grace Steurer chipped in with nine.
 
On the defensive side, freshman Katie Weston led the way with 21 digs while adding a game-high four aces from the service line. In passing, Alyssa Vitale and Jenna Bailey split 21 assists apiece.
 
The two sides split the first two sets before a commanding third that put the Mountain Hawks on the brink, down 2-1. Lafayette sunk their rivals early in the fourth and never allowed a comeback to materialize in a convincing 25-14 fourth-set win.
 
The Maroon and White head over to Bethlehem on Sunday for the rematch with first serve set for 6 p.m.