Wanted: A Good Night's Sleep

Lightning Play 10 Sets in Splitting Doubleheader

In an exhausting and exhilarating display of volleyball at the APEX for both the players and spectators, the Lehman Lightning showed tremendous fight in battling to a doubleheader split over the course of 10 total sets on Thursday night to improve their overall record to 7-5 on the season.

Following an incredibly tough five set loss to the United States Merchant Marine Academy-Kings Point, a match that featured several outstanding rallies and a Lightning comeback from two sets down, an emotionally spent Lehman team was forced to recompose themselves for a second non-conference battle with visiting SUNY Purchase.

And the Panthers certainly looked like the fresher team as they took the first set 25-21, pushed the Lightning to the brink in the second set before falling 28-26, and then blitzed Lehman in the third, 25-15.

But showing the fighting spirit that they had already displayed in the evening's first match, Coach Wolfgang Lucena's women captured the fourth 25-18. This time they would not be denied with the outcome hanging in the balance. Contributions from Gerri-Ann Martin, Jennifer Winkler, Lakeisha Gordon and Vanessa Brown helped close out the Panthers in the fifth set 15-8.

Brown in particular garnered effusive praise from Lucena for her outstanding effort in both games.

“Today she was a monster,” gushed Lucena.

Not to be forgotten for their play during the first match were junior Shayla Thompkins and freshman Perla Valentin, who proved to be a secret weapon for Coach Lucena at the service line.

The Lightning will get a good night's rest and return to the court for another doubleheader on Saturday morning, this time on the campus of SUNY Old Westbury to take on the host school followed by a match against William Paterson University.

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