ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Navy captured a 3-2 (28-30, 25-22, 25-23, 22-25, 15-6) win over Lafayette on Friday evening. Rookie Jada Aksu set a new career high in kills with 18. Outside hitter Auma Mbeche-Odhiambo added in 10 kills of her own, while Abby Nicholson recorded a team-leading five block assists.

The Maroon and White took set one in thrilling fashion, earning a 30-28 win after trailing for a majority of the set. The hosts used one of Farrah Eike's 26 kills to collect a 23-19 lead down the stretch. A Navy attack error and pair of kills, courtesy of Aksu and Nicholson, allowed Lafayette to inch closer (23-22). Shortly after, the Leopards took a 26-25 advantage for their second lead of the set. The two teams traded scores until Destiny McKenzie tallied a first-set win with a service ace.

Navy jumped out to a 12-4 lead in the second set, ending a four-point run with a service ace from Ava Toppin. Toppin tallied 15 kills in the match, tied for the second most on the team Eike, Toppin and Anuhea Hauanio-Lore combined for 10 kills in set two, powering the Mids to a 25-22 score in the second period. 

The hosts' offensive attack continued in the third set. Navy notched 17 kills, led by Eike's eight, to seven attack errors. Despite the Mids' attacks, the Leopards fought throughout the period. Set three saw a total of 12 ties and six lead changes, the last of which came on a 25-24 set point kill from Eike.

Facing a 2-1 set deficit, Aksu took charge for the Maroon and White, slapping down a team-high five kills in the fourth set. McKenzie chipped in with four kills, while Carol Ulichney tallied three of her nine kills. Sophia Wilson and Mackenzie Calhoun positioned the Leopard offense with eight and five assists in the period, respectively. Lafayette rattled off a five-point spurt in the middle of the set to capture the lead, which was held until the end. McKenzie pushed the match to a decisive fifth set with her eighth kill of the contest.

The Mids took the final set with a 15-6 final, Navy hit a blistering .600 up front, with seven kills. Eike closed out the game with back-to-back kills.

The Leopards retake the court on Saturday at 4 p.m., when they travel to Loyola for a Patriot League matchup.


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

X/@LafColVBall | Instagram/@lafayette_vb | Facebook/GoLeopards