After being defeated 25-9 in the opening set, the Saint Peter's Univeristy (1-4) volleyball team bounced back to a second set victory but were unable to force a fifth set and lost 3-1 (9-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-13) to Fairleigh Dickinson University (2-4), in day one of the Lafayette College Tournament.
A weak offensive attack seemed to be the downfall for the Peacocks, as only four players on the team registered at least one kill. Lauren Behrens and Laura Reinhart led the way, recording 11 and 10 kills respectively. Behrens finished with her second double-double of the season, coming up with 17 digs as well. Brittany Smith added 6 kills, while Kassi Wirth had 5.
Jenny Pliska led the Saint Peter's defense, finishing with 21 digs to match FDU's Meaghan Wheeler for the match-high.
Saint Peter's was held to just a .079 hitting percentage for the match, while the Knights hit .243.
Lauren Behrens paved the way for the Peacocks victory in set two, putting her team in front 3-0 with two service aces. Saint Peter's extended their lead to as many as four in the early going (7-3), but the Knights battled back to tie the score at 7-7. Wheeler gave Fairleigh Dickinson their first advantage at 16-15, but the Peacocks roared back to tie the score on two separate occasions (17-17, 21-21) and a timely 4-0 run, aided by 3 Knight unforced errors, gave Saint Peter's the win.
Although Saint Peter's failed to ever hold a lead in the third set, the team did tie the score seven times. The Peacocks also managed to out-score FDU 6-2 in the closing minutes of the set, but the deficit proved too large to come back from.
In the fourth set, Saint Peter's jumped in front 4-0, however Fairleigh Dickinson formed a 7-3 run to tie the score. Eventually the Knights put together an 8-1 advantage to establish a comfortable lead they would never relinquish.
Sophomore setter Kristina Baehr finished with 28 assists and 9 digs.
Meaghan Wheeler led FDU and all hitters with 22 kills and added 21 digs.
The Peacocks return to action tomorrow with two games against hosts Lafayette (10am) and Delaware State (3pm).
