Feb. 8, 2011

Box Score - SUNY Purchase
Box Score - York College

With the Lightning just having tasted victory again over the weekend after four consecutive losses, Tuesday night's doubleheader against the non-conference State University of New York Purchase College and 6-4 York College wasn't exactly what Coach Wolfgang Lucena or his team had in mind as the ideal opponents against which to get on a roll.

But the Lightning was more than up to the challenge, taking both matches without losing a set in its most complete night of volleyball this season.

In the first match, the Lightning took care of overmatched State University of New York Purchase College in straight sets (25-8, 25-10, 25-15). Senior R.J. LeBlanc paced the Lightning with 14 kills while Nate Martin added eight kills and six digs.

Freshman Miguel Gallardo was outstanding from the service line, firing seven aces. His strong serving helped set the tone for the match as the Lightning took the first 10 points of the opening set with Gallardo initiating the action.

After two lopsided set losses, the Panthers showed some resilience in the third set, battling the Lightning to a near standstill to trail 12-10 despite defeat being near. Gallardo's presence at the service line settled things down for the Lightning, though, as Lehman took the next four points to open up a 16-10 advantage on its way to the 25-15 win.

The second match figured to be more competitive for the Lightning, but Lehman, feeling good about itself after its performance in the previous game, rode its newfound momentum to a relatively easy 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-9) victory over York.

Most impressive for the Lightning was its ability to string together several multi-point stretches that helped it distance itself from York in each set. During the decisive third set, Lehman ran off two runs of six points and one of seven points to crush the spirit of the Cardinals on its way to the lopsided 25-9 win.

Once again Gallardo was in the middle of the action for the Lightning as he registered seven kills, 14 assists, six digs and three service aces. Sophomore Luis Colon turned in a fine overall match as well with five kills, 11 digs and four service aces. Number one attacker R.J. LeBlanc led the team with 10 kills.

Lehman is back in action on Friday when it stays local to square off against Mount Saint Vincent over in Riverdale.