Syracuse, N.Y. – The Le Moyne College volleyball team returned to Ted Grant Court to host Canisius university in a midweek clash on Wednesday night. The Golden Griffins claimed a 3-0 victory over the Dolphins, taking the three sets 25-18, 25-23, 25-21. Le Moyne now sits with a 1-8 record on the season.
In set one, the Golden Griffins worked to take a quick 4-0 lead before the Dolphins lessened the deficit to as little as two points at 14-12. Canisius was able to hang on, however, and took set one, 25-18.
Set two was neck-and-neck from the beginning, with the two teams tying every point until the Golden Griffins took an 11-9 lead. Le Moyne eventually took the lead, 21-20, after a timely block from sophomore outside hitter Nina Salas (Austin, T.X. / McNeil) and freshman middle hitter Eiley Schneider (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey), but Canisius was able to hold on once again and took set two, 25-23.
Set three began in a similar back-and-forth fashion with the two teams tying, 12-12, before Canisius eventually pulled away and took the set and match, 25-21.
Sophomore outside hitter Payton Horan (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place) led the Dolphins with eight kills in the match, just ahead of junior opposite hitter Branwyn Lupton (Napanee, O.N. / Napanee District Secondary School) who added another seven in the loss. Sophomore setter Skylar Jehlen (Rochester, N.Y. / Churchville Chili) rounded out the offense leading in both assists (13) and service aces (one), along with sophomore libero/DS Cami Zajac (Syracuse, N.Y/West Genesee).
Defensively, junior libero/DS Haley Buescher (Toledo, O.H./St. Ursula Academy) recorded a match-best 12 digs while Horan and senior middle hitter Nil Ezgi Tasdelen (Izmir, Turkey/Ugur Okullari) led with two blocks apiece.
For Canisius, Bella Mosquera and Madison Cowan led with 11 kills each while Mosquera also added a team-best three service aces in the match. Ella Bourque tallied a match-best 36 assists for the Golden Griffins, as well. On defense, Julia Lenik recorded 11 digs while Emma Isroff added a pair of blocks in the victory.
What's Next:
Le Moyne will take part in the Syracuse Invitational this weekend with their first matchup coming against St. John's at Syracuse University at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19.
