Sometimes in sports a team reeling in the standings is more dangerous than a team flying high.

On Thursday night at the Apex Center on the campus of Lehman College, the Lightning found that out firsthand, suffering a straight sets loss to the Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins 21-25, 14-25, 17-25. 

Entering the game on a four game losing streak, the Dolphins (2-4 overall, 1-1 Skyline) were energetic from the start, grabbing a quick 6-1 lead on the back of several Lehman errors and forcing Lightning coach Wolfgang Lucena to call timeout.  Lehman eventually fell behind 13-6 before reeling off five straight points with Yamilka Vicente at the service line to close to 13-11.  Mt. Saint Vincent proceeded to open up a 21-14 advantage before a late push by Lehman got them within striking distance at 22-18, the closest they would get prior to the Dolphins closing out the set.

Kills by Vanessa Brown and Colleen Walker pushed the Lightning to a 3-0 lead to start the second set before Mt. Saint Vincent dug in its heels.  Mixing in a combined four service aces from Irma Nepomuceno, Kristine DeMasi and Renee Reynes, the Dolphins put together a 17-3 run to take a 21-9 lead, all but putting the Lightning away in the second set.

Lehman produced some feistiness in the third set, battling the Dolphins to a virtual standstill early on.  Trailing 12-10 Vanessa Brown put away a kill that for a moment seemed like it would turn the momentum in the Lightning's favor.  After both teams traded points, a mini Mt. Saint Vincent spurt created some breathing room for the visitors at 19-14 which proved insurmountable for the Lightning.

Sophomore Besa Zabelaj and junior Vanessa Brown led the Lightning, who were playing without junior outside hitter Gerri-Ann Martin due to injury, in kills with three each.

Lehman hits the road for a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon when they match up against non-conference opponents New Jersey City University at 12 p.m. and Mitchell College at 2 p.m.