SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Lafayette volleyball team captured its second win of the season, defeating NJIT in five sets (25-23, 25-9, 25-19, 25-22, 15-8).

Sophomore outside hitter Emma Patmon and senior outside hitter Abby Nieporte were the standouts on offense for the Leopards, combining for 28 kills.  Juniors Hannah Ehrich-Pollock and Carol Ulichney also had a high-kill outing, finishing with nine apiece.

The Leopards' offense was firing early in the first set, taking a 6-1 lead. Finley McAndrew brought the Highlanders within three points (11-8) with a service ace before Lafayette went on a five-point run courtesy of an ace by junior setter, Anna Penman, and kills from Ehrich-Pollock and Patmon. Blocks from Irelynd Lorenzen and Paige Chmura kept NJIT at bay, but the Highlanders crawled back to a one-point deficit (23-22). Errors by NJIT granted Lafayette the first set, 25-23.

Sara Siefert was the standout performer in the second set, recording four service aces in seven attempts. Lafayette never founds its offensive rhythm and dropped the second set 25-9.

The Leopards gained an early 8-3 lead in the third set, but NJIT quickly tied the contest at 10 apiece, after kills by Ines Varela and Aries Fontaine. The Highlanders took the lead on the next point and didn't look back, winning 25-19. Varela, Fontaine and Seifert were key down the stretch for the Highlanders.

Lafayette had six more kills (16-10) and seven more digs (17-10) than the Highlanders in the fourth set. Freshman outsider hitter, Destiny McKenzie, contributed four kills as well as Patmon. Senior setter Anna Penman supplied nine assists in 12 attempts. NJIT led 18-16 before a kill from McKenzie and back-to-back aces by Lorenzen restored the Maroon and White's lead (20-18). The Leopards took the fourth set, 25-22.

Patmon, Lorenzen, Ehrich-Pollock and Nieporte all recorded two kills in the fifth set, leading the Leopards to their second win of the season.

Defense was also a big key in the Leopards' nail-biting win. Senior libero Carson Grace Toomer (13) and Penman (14) combined for 27 digs with Patmon (9) and Nieporte (11) adding 20.

Lafayette is back in action at 1:30 p.m. today against Canisius to conclude its Salt City Classic play.


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

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