WASHINGTON - The American University volleyball team cruised in the first two sets and then held on in the third to earn a straight-set victory over visiting Lehigh (9-8, 2-1) in the Eagles' Patriot League home opener. AU (9-7, 2-1) won by scores of 25-19, 25-12 and 25-23.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Senior Aleksandra Sochacka was a force from the get-go, knocking down some early kills and finishing with 12 to tie freshman Zeynep Uzen for the team lead. 
• Sochacka committed just two errors in hitting .435 for the match, and recorded five of her kills in the first set to help AU start strong.
• Lehigh trailed 17-9 in the first set, and AU let the Mountain Hawks come within no fewer than four points the rest of the way. An Uzen kill followed by a Lehigh error put the Eagles up 1-0 in the match with a 25-19 set win.
• The second set was by far the most dominant for AU, as the Eagles hit .484 to Lehigh's .091. The kills advantage was 18-8, and AU had a 7-0 run halfway through the set to take a commanding, 16-7 lead.
• Uzen was once again a force near the end of the set, coming up with four kills in the final eight points as AU won 25-12.
• AU appeared to have the match well in hand with a 21-13 third-set lead, but Lehigh made it interesting with a 10-3 run.
• The Mountain Hawks fought off four match points before a huge block by freshman Asli Celikkol and senior Vela McBride ended the match in favor of the Eagles.
• Senior Jeanne Westney posted six kills with no errors for a hitting percentage of .667, and led the team with four blocks.
• Freshman Onuchi Ndee also recorded six kills, hitting .455, and Celikkol finished with four kills on four attacks to hit 1.000.
• Junior Olivia Wassner recorded 36 of AU's 39 assists and served up a pair of aces as well.

NEXT UP

• American will be right back at it on Saturday, Oct. 5, hosting PL foe Bucknell at 2 p.m.

TICKETS

• Tickets to all AU volleyball matches at Bender Arena are available throughout the season.
• Bring a group of 10+ and save over 40 percent off your purchase, available at $3 per person.
• Individual game tickets are available for $8 for adults, $5 for general admission, youth under 17 and seniors over 65. Military members, veterans and AU students are invited to join the Eagles for free admission with valid ID.
• CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS 
• For inquiries, e-mail clawed@american.edu or call 202.885.TIXX (8499).

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