The AU women's volleyball team continued its dominance of the Patriot League by defeating Lehigh Friday night, 3-0 (30-14, 30-28, and 30-16), and Lafayette Saturday, 3-1 (30-25, 30-16, 27-30, and 30-20), at Bender Arena.
The Eagles (11-7, 5-0 PL) remain unbeaten in PL play this season and have now won 69-straight PL matches.
"We're still a young team improving and standing strong," said AU coach Barry Goldberg. "The gap is closing between us and the other teams in the league."
Lehigh (3-11, 0-3) was helpless against the superior athleticism of the AU squad. Senior middle blocker Cutrina Biddulph led the Eagles with 12 kills and four aces and shot .611 for the match. Elizabeth Maloney also had a great game with nine kills and five aces. Overall the team shot .349 for the match.
Lehigh threatened only in the second game, in which they once led, 23-17, on the Eagles.
However, the Eagles won 13 of the last 17 points played to rally and win the game 30-28 and take a 2-0 lead. AU closed in dominating fashion with a 30-16 final game wine.
On Saturday, Lafayette (10-7, 1-3 PL) proved a more formidable foe. The Leopards played the Eagles close in the first game before losing, 30-25. Lafayette struggled in the second game losing 30-16. However in the third game Lafayette took advantage of 12 Eagles errors to win, 30-27. The Eagles returned to their usual dominant form in the fourth game, winning, 30-20.
"It's understandable for us to have games like that," Goldberg said referring to the third game. "We're still a young team molding."
Against Lafayette, the Eagles were led by freshman outside hitter Rubena Sukaj who had 21 kills and shot .417 for the match. junior middle blocker Chelsea Brooks and Biddulph each added 14 kills. The Eagles shot .306 overall against Lafayette.
The Eagles go on the road next weekend for their first league contests away from Bender Arena this year. Friday, the Eagles play the Holy Cross Crusaders (5-12, 1-3 PL), before a crucial game for fist place against the Army Black Knights (11-2, 4-0 PL) Saturday.
