WASHINGTON – The American University volleyball team earned a five-set victory over Lehigh on Friday night, coming out on top of a punch-for-punch Patriot League clash.
Bella Marrero led an inspired defensive effort with a career-high 29 digs, while
Salme Hollas led the attacking side with 17 kills.
Notable
- Marrero added seven assists and two service aces to her night. Hollas added seven digs and also had two aces to total 19 points.
- Elise Sterling had a stellar night in the middle of AU's attack, striking a .394 hitting percentage with 14 kills.
- Carly Sciborski continued her hitting hot streak, going for 12 kills at a .333 clip. This was her seventh straight match with at least seven kills while hitting .300 or better.
- Deniz Dakak dished a season-high 57 assists with 12 digs, marking her seventh double-double of the season.
- It was a pleasant return to play for Sophie Dufour, who has missed the last eight games due to injury. She entered off the bench in the second set tonight, and went on to record six kills.
- Freshman Sam McMillan recorded seven kills, and fellow freshman Gabbie Vizek logged her first two collegiate kills off the bench.
Set 1: American 25, Lehigh 23
- The Eagles got out to a strong start, taking an 8-2 lead and forcing a Lehigh timeout. Hollas struck three kills, Sciborski and Sterling each contributed one, and Zeck added a block.
- The Mountain Hawks responded with a run of their own out of the timeout, taking a 15-13 lead before the media break.
- Trailing 18-14, Sciborski provided two kills, then Sterling added a kill and a block to tie the score.
- Later tied 23-23, Zeck and McMillan denied an attempt from Mary Massias to give AU the lead. Next point, Dakak found McMillan for the set-sealing kill.
Set 2: Lehigh 25, American 21
- Lehigh led for the majority of the second set, but it was tight throughout. The Mountain Hawks had a 13-10 advantage that was erased after two kills from Hollas and one from Sterling.
- The visitors separated themselves late, taking a 20-16 lead and finishing off the set 25-21.
Set 3: American 25, Lehigh 20
- American responded with an excellent attacking set in the third, hitting .371 and never trailing.
- AU went in front 10-6 after a kill from Vizek, a block from Vizek and Sciborski, and back-to-back kills from Hollas.
- The Eagles grabbed their largest lead at 18-13, cruising to the win from there. Dufour led the way with six kills, while Sterling and Hollas each had four.
Set 4: Lehigh 25, American 18
- Lehigh took back control in the fourth, winning by the largest margin of the match.
- AU only trailed 8-7 early, but an 11-3 Lehigh run broke the set open.
Set 5: American 15, Lehigh 12
- American took the lead in the fifth set and showed great poise to hold onto it, as the Mountain Hawks clawed back into the frame late.
- The Eagles went ahead 9-6 after a kill from Elise Sterling and two Lehigh attack errors. The Mountain Hawks responded with a 6-3 run to tie the score 12-12.
- With momentum on Lehigh's side, AU stayed composed and won the final three points. Zeck struck back-to-back kills, and Sciborski ended the match with her 16th successful swing of the night.
Up Next
- AU is back at home tomorrow to face off against Lafayette at 4 p.m.
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