ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Lafayette ventured to Navy on Friday night, dropping a 3-1 decision to the Mids.
Junior Auma Mbeche-Odhiambo slapped down 17 kills, one short of her season-high (18 kills against Rhode Island). The Houston, Texas native claims 135 spikes this season, the fourth-highest mark in the Patriot League. Defensively, Lafayette collected 10 blocks, with Johanna Groger, Jada Aksu and Noa Kamphuis all notching four block assists. Kamphuis has racked up 59 block assists this season, leading the conference.
The Mids opened the contest with a 17-13 advantage in the first set. Beginning with a Navy attack error, Lafayette composed an eight-point stretch, taking a 21-17 lead. During the run, Aksu and Kamphuis each added a pair of kills, while Mbeche-Odhiambo and LK LaMonica chipped in a kill and a service ace, respectively. The hosts rallied back, pulling within a point of the Leopards (23-22). An Aksu spike and a Navy attack error granted the Maroon and White a 25-23 set victory.
Set two was claimed by Navy, 25-23. In the stanza, the hosts' Ellen Gundlach collected 11 of her 22 match kills. Navy setter Isa Boyd tallied 12 assists. For the Leopards, Mbeche-Odhiambo and Aksu led Lafayette in spikes during the period, with three apiece. The Maroon and White tallied four blocks, led by Aksu, Groger and Kamphuis netting two block assists each.
Navy took a 2-1 set advantage after securing a 25-18 third period win. The hosts hit .355 in the set, powered by 15 kills and four attack errors. Lafayette totaled 11 kills and eight attack errors.
The decisive fourth set witnessed Lafayette take a commanding 20-14 lead. The Mids countered with a five-point spurt, cutting into the Leopard advantage (20-19). The Maroon and White notched two points (22-19) from Mbeche-Odhiambo and LaMonica via a kill and a service ace, respectively. Navy closed the set with six-straight points for a 25-22 win and a 3-1 match final.
The Leopards travel to American on Saturday for a 4 p.m. matchup.
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