EASTON, Pa. - After a thrilling second set that ultimately saw American University volleyball fall 34-32, the Eagles struggled to recover and dropped a three-set match on the road at Lafayette. The Leopards improve to 7-6 overall and 4-1 in the Patriot League, while AU falls to 7-8 for the season and 1-2 in conference play.

NOTABLE

• Sophomore Katie Putney led American with eight kills and two blocks, while junior Zeynep Uzen tallied seven kills and two aces.
• Graduate student Chiara Bosetti recorded a team-high 18 digs, and freshman setter Esma Sipahi posted 15 assists to lead the Eagles.
• The 34-32 second set marked the highest scoring set for the program since 2010 in a three-set win vs. Navy.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Lafayette led all the way through the opening set, jumping out to a 9-3 lead and continuing to pull away. 
• The Leopards posted 20 kills with just two errors in the first set, while the Eagles matched them in errors but came up with just nine kills.
• AU battled back from an 22-17 deficit in the second set, using a 5-1 run with two kills by Uzen to come within a point at 23-22. 
• Down 24-23, Uzen then served up back-to-back aces to give American it's first set point, but Lafayette fought it off with a kill.
• Both teams battled with AU earning four total set points and Lafayette earning six before it was the Leopards who finally capitalized with a kill and a block to end a very long set in their favor.
• Lafayette set the tone early in the third set with a 7-1 lead, and the wind seemed to be knocked out of AU's sails as the Eagles were unable to get their offense going in a 25-6 set loss.

NEXT UP

• AU will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 2 in a 4 p.m. match at Bucknell. The Bison have lost three straight PL matches in straight sets and stand at 5-9 overall with a 1-4 mark in league play.

KEEP UP WITH US

• For the latest on American University Volleyball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_Volleyball), Facebook (/AU.Volleyball) and Instagram (@au_volleyball).