EASTON, Pa. – The Lafayette volleyball team welcomed American to Kirby Sports Center on Friday night, resulting in American's 10^th conference win of the season (25-16, 25-22, 25-18).

Lafayette jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, courtesy of a kill by junior middle blocker Hannah Ehrich-Pollock, an ace by senior Carson Grace Toomer and an attack error by the Eagles. American quickly responded with a 5-0 run, forcing errors by the Leopards. American kept rolling, gaining a 15-10 lead through kills by Zedo Yilmaz and more Lafayette errors. Lilou Stegeman and Adelina Berisha both came up with clutch kills down the stretch, granting the visitors the first set, 25-16.

The second set featured six tie scores and five lead changes. The Leopards again got off to a great start with a 4-1 lead but American tied it up at four apiece shortly after. The Maroon and White trailed 10-7 before a 5-1 spurt put the hosts back in front (12-11). The next six points were neck and neck, but the visitors posted a 3-0 run to gain some breathing room. Lafayette continued to fight back late in the set, but Stegeman captured the second set for the Eagles with a kill, assisted by Esma Sipahi (25-22).

The Eagles tallied seven more kills (15-8) in the final set and Yilmaz led the way for American with six. The Leopards got the better of American up front (four blocks to two), but the Eagles capitalized on service aces (2-0). Senior outside hitter Nina Kernan gave the Leopards some life with two kills in crunch time, but Bridget Javitch secured the final  with an ace. 

Junior libero Emily Gouldrup was finished with double-digit dig totals (13).

Lafayette is back in action at 4 p.m. on Saturday as it hosts Loyola for Senior Day.
 

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