EASTON, Pa. – Senior right side Lauren Halverson posted a game-high 10 kills as the Holy Cross volleyball team was defeated 3-0 by Patriot League opponent Lafayette Saturday in the Kirby Sports Center.

The setback was the ninth of the season for the Crusaders as they fell to 0-2 in league play. The Leopards improved to 6-5 and moved to 1-1 in conference action.

Halverson was one kill off from matching her career-best which happened on Sept. 2, 2023 against Stonehill. The team captain hit a season-best .321 in the contest and added a personal-high tying five kills.

SET SCORES:
Leopards 3, Crusaders 0 (21-25, 18-25, 18-25)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Lafayette built up an 18-10 lead in the opening set. A freshman Gabby Wold kill put Holy Cross behind by five, 19-14. Trailing by eight 23-15, the Crusaders kept fighting using a 6-1 run utilizing a pair of kills from senior Rian Millership and Halverson while two Millership blocks brought the score to 24-21. Lafayette finished off the set.
• Behind 5-1, Holy Cross deadlocked the score at 6-6. In front 10-8, Lafayette notched five in a row to take a seven point 15-8 edge. Halverson and Millership teamed up for another stuff putting the Crusaders down 15-11. The Leopards led by eight 23-15 and took a 2-0 match advantage.
• The hosts came out of the break on fire jumping out to a 9-2 edge. Three in a row from the guests brought them within four, 9-5. Lafayette led 18-13 and Holy Cross got three consecutive markers from Halverson sophomore middle blocker Maeve Bailey and a Halverson ace to make it 18-16. The Leopards closed the match on a 7-2 spurt.

INSIDE THE BOX:

• A trio of Crusaders (Halverson, Millership, and Bailey) had four total blocks.
• Wold has produced double-digit digs in four straight contests.
• Freshman defensive specialist Alana Whitwell had double-digit digs for the second time in as many games.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross returns home for their Cousy Cup game on Friday, Sept. 27 against league foe Loyola (Md.)
• First serve is set for 6 p.m. in the Hart Center Arena.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
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