EASTON, Pa. – Lehigh downed Lafayette volleyball on Sunday afternoon (25-21, 25-18, 25-20) in the team's 11^th Patriot League match of the season.

The visitors jumped out to an early 7-2 lead. The Leopards then posted a 5-3 scoring spurt to cut their deficit to three points (10-7). The Mountain Hawks continued to control the first set, but Lafayette got hot late in the period. Lehigh led 20-15 before a 4-1 spurt cut the gap to just two points (21-19). Alysia Fingall tallied two big kills down the stretch, granting Lehigh the first set, 25-21.

Outside hitters Emma Patmon (4) and Destiny McKenzie (4) combined for eight kills in the second period. The Leopards held an early 6-2 lead after sophomore setter Anna Van Wyk recorded back-to-back service aces. The visitors responded with a 9-2 spurt that featured kills by Ufuoma Omene and Emily Stewart. Megan Schulte's seven kills in the second period led them to taking the set, 25-20.

The key difference in the final set was blocking. The Mountain Hawks tallied four more blocks (4-0) than the Leopards and were a force up front all afternoon. Lafayette did some good work from the service line, but the visitors limited their attack errors and won the swinging battle (12 kills to 10). The match was all square at 13 apiece prior to Lehigh creating some breathing room with a 5-1 run (18-14). Omene finished off the game with a kill assisted by Makena Smith.

The Maroon and White return to the court at 7 p.m. on Friday, hosting the American Eagles.
 

To keep up with the Lafayette volleyball program, follow its social media pages.

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