RICHMOND, Va. – Lafayette volleyball defeated Power 5 opponent Virginia Tech 3-1 (25-19, 25-17, 25-21, 25-15) on Saturday afternoon in its final match of the VCU Invitational.

The Hokies owned the first set, taking a quick 5-1 lead through Jordan Hallman and some Lafayette errors. Sophomore libero, Emily Gouldrup, brought the Leopards within two points (11-9) of tying the game with a service ace, but the Hokies' frequent and small scoring runs, guided them to a 1-0 lead after the first set.

Lafayette's offense found its rhythm in the second set. Senior Abby Nieporte and Patmon got the Leopards out to a 13-9 lead before they went on a five-point run, featuring a kill from freshman Paige Chmura and errors by Virginia Tech. The Hokies struggled with their attacks in the second period, tying the match at one point apiece with a Leopards' win in the second period.

The third set was full of back-and-forth action. Lafayette's offense was firing on all cylinders, but Virginia Tech's 10 attack errors in the third set proved to be crucial. Kills by Patmon and junior Carol Ulichney were huge down the stretch as the Hokies at one point trailed by only two points (20-18). The Leopards held on, taking the third set 25-21.

The Leopards led by as many as 10 points throughout the final set. Patmon finished the final period with six kills, hitting .417. Nieporte extended an early Lafayette lead (10-5) before a Gouldrup service ace and Ulichney kill boosted the lead to 15-5. The Maroon and White never looked back, winning the final set (25-15).

Lafayette is back in action on Friday at 2 p.m. as it travels to the FDU Invitational to face Fordham.

 
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