Lehigh Secures Five-Set Road Victory Over Holy Cross

WORCESTER, Mass. – After playing three consecutive road matches, Lehigh volleyball played a fourth on Saturday evening from Hart Center Arena against the Holy Cross Crusaders. The Mountain Hawks picked up their first Patriot League win of the season in a five-set thriller over the Crusaders.

“It took grit, it was a tough match,” said head coach Shawn McLaughlin. “I was most proud that we were resilient and found ways to fight back. Props to Holy Cross because they played really well, but I thought we figured some things out and it was very fun to watch us be resilient in some of those moments.”

Lehigh (7-6, 1-3 PL) and Holy Cross (4-12, 0-4 PL) were engaged in a very competitive first set, which the Mountain Hawks ultimately won 25-22. The Mountain Hawks collected 13 kills in the frame to the Crusaders’ 12, but a .290 to .194 disparity in hitting percentage helped Lehigh win the first set.

Holy Cross responded in a big way in set two, winning by a score of 25-17. The Crusaders posted their match-best hitting percentage of .351 in the frame while committing only one attacking error. Lehigh returned the favor in set three, dominating the Holy Cross 25-11 to take a 2-1 lead in the match. The Mountain Hawks out-hit the Crusaders .346 to -.188 in the third.

With their backs against the wall, the Crusaders once again showed up, earning another 25-17 win in set four. The win set up a winner-take-all fifth set, which both teams desperately needed to win to avoid a 0-4 start to Patriot League play. The Mountain Hawks’ offense shined in the fifth set, hitting a scorching .478 on route to the team’s first Patriot League win of the season and McLaughlin’s first of his career.

“Out of 101 of [Abby Felkai’s] assists, we terminated over 40%,” said McLaughlin. “That’s what we’re looking for from an offensive standpoint; when the setter is running the offense that our hitters are going off.”

Junior Ufuoma Omene was spectacular offensively, tallying a career-high 19 kills on a highly efficient .429 hitting percentage. First-year Mary Massias also enjoyed a breakout game, reaching a career-high 18 kills. Senior Natalie Luscomb was also integral to Lehigh’s success, reaching 15 kills on a .438 hitting percentage while providing the game-winning kill in the fifth set.

“We’ve been working a lot on [our hitters’] ability to move the ball as attackers,” said McLaughlin. “I thought they did a great job today of moving the ball as attackers and finding different areas on the court to score. Our hitters were very confident with their swings and very purposeful. We know that both Ufuoma and Mary are both super physical, but to see them both engaged in the learning process is what I’m looking for.”

One day after setting a new career-high in assists, Abby Felkai did it again, dishing out a career-best 42 assists in the win. Senior Madison McCartney led the team with six total blocks while sophomore Sophia Bond paced Lehigh with 20 digs.

Emma Sorensen led the Crusaders offensively with a match-high 20 kills on a .333 hitting percentage.

The Mountain Hawks return to Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall on Friday, October 3 at 7 p.m. to take on Navy.

“It’s been five weekends in a row of volleyball, and we’ve only been home for one of those,” said McLaughlin. “We’re really excited to back in Grace Hall in front our fans.”

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