BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Despite trailing 2-1 through the opening three sets, the Army West Point volleyball team battled back to secure a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Lehigh in a Patriot League match on Saturday afternoon at Grace Hall.
Allie Strong and Courtney Horace played a huge role in the five-set win over the Mountain Hawks, combining for 41 of the team’s 64 kills. Nikki Lum posted a double-double with 35 assists to pair with a team-best 21 digs, while Emmy Barnhost added seven kills and six solo blocks.
FIRST SET (Lehigh 25, Army 21)
Horace paced the Black Knights with four kills in the opening set.
Army fell behind 11-5, before a 7-2 run cut the deficit to one.
Two late kills by Strong brought the Black Knights within two, 23-21, but Lehigh closed out the set for the victory.
SECOND SET (Army 25, Lehigh 17)
Horace and Strong stepped up in the set and combined for 14 kills.
With Army up 6-5, the Black Knights went on an 11-2 run to run away with the set.
Army held a .273 attack percentage, compared to Lehigh’s .069.
THIRD SET (Lehigh 25, Army 23)
Horace rattled off six kills with Strong pitching in with four.
Barnhorst chipped in with four blocks during the set.
Army led 22-18, but the Mountain Hawks outscored the Cadets 7-1 to secure the set win.
FOURTH SET (Army 25, Lehigh 23)
The Black Knights held a slim 17-15 advantage before going on a 6-1 run.
Lehigh fought hard to deny a fifth set by going on a 6-1 run of their own to make it a two-point game, 24-22.
The third kill of the set by Horace gave Army the win and forced a match-deciding fifth set.
FIFTH SET (Army 15, Lehigh 9)
The Cadets connected on nine of their 17 attacks for a .471 attack percentage.
The Mountain Hawks led 7-5 before Army began to gain momentum.
Army closed out the set on a 10-2 run to secure the league win.
The Black Knights will return to Gillis Fieldhouse for a service-academy showdown with Navy on Friday at 7 p.m.