EASTON, Pa. - Despite a career-best performance from freshman Justine Puig, Lafayette fell to American, 3-1, on Saturday night at Kirby Sports Center.
Puig racked up 14 spikes to lead the Leopards in kills. The Cormeilles-en-Parisis, France, native added in two service aces while contributing two block assists and 15 digs on the defensive side of the court. Paige Chmura followed Puig in kills, with nine. Setter Mackenzie Calhoun chipped in 21 assists and a team-best three aces. The Maroon and White provided 12 total blocks, with Noa Kamphuis (10), Chmura (5) and Jada Aksu (4) leading the way.
The Leopards gathered an early 15-13 start in set one after collecting six of the first seven points of the stanza. After the media timeout, American was quick to win three of the following four scores (16-16). The Eagles followed with brief spurts of three and two points shortly after to take the lead, 21-18. Both squads traded scores throughout the conclusion of the set, but the visitors captured the final three points to win it, 25-21.
The visitors (.406 hitting percentage) parlayed 15 kills and an eight-point rally in the second period to win the set 25-17. American's Elise Sterling tallied seven kills on eight attempts to pace her team's offense. Deniz Dakak added on 11 assists and contributed a service ace.
Led by seven from Puig, Lafayette's offense responded in the third set with 15 spikes. Defensively, Kamphuis racked up four block assists to help lead the effort at the net. With the third period tied at 21, the Leopards picked up the next two points for a 23-21 advantage. American added another score (23-22) before back-to-back kills from Puig and Aksu finished the set off, granting the Leopards a 25-22 set three victory.
During the fourth set, American took a 17-13 lead after the first 30 points of the stanza. Puig shot down a ball for a kill to pull the hosts within three (17-14), but the Eagles countered with a run of five straight points (22-14). Scores were exchanged towards the end of the set, but American's Prinzez Zeck ended the stanza, 25-17, and the match (3-1) with a kill.
The Maroon and White are back in action on Nov. 6, traveling to Holy Cross.
To keep up with the Lafayette volleyball team, follow its social media pages.
X/@LafColVBall | Instagram/@lafayette_vb | Facebook/GoLeopards
