BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh volleyball faced off against Valparaiso at the Steel Classic on Saturday. The Mountain Hawks kicked things off strong, winning the first set but ultimately lost the match 3-1.
In a closely contested first set, the teams kept the score tight. Neither led by more than four points, and Lehigh edged out Valpo with a final score of 25-22, thanks to some timely errors by the Beacons.
However, Valparaiso bounced back in the second set. They held Lehigh to a hitting percentage below zero, concluding the set 25-19 and leveling the match. The Beacons continued their dominance in the third, cruising to a 25-15 win. Although Lehigh tried to rally in the fourth set, bringing the score to 19-18, Valpo finished strong again, taking the set 25-20.
Jaidyn Garcia stood out for the Mountain Hawks, contributing 11 kills and hitting .258. Ufuoma Omene added another ten kills, while Sophia Bond led in defense with 18 digs. Abby Felkai supported the team with 21 assists.
Over the weekend, Lehigh ended up with a 2-1 record, having won against Sacred Heart and NJIT on Friday. They are set to open Patriot League play with an away game against Bucknell on September 19.
In recent volleyball trends, many college teams are seeing an increase in competitiveness as programs invest more in their athletics. According to a recent NCAA report, women’s collegiate volleyball continues to grow, with participation rates rising significantly over the past decade. This reflects a broader trend in sports where female athletes gain more recognition and support—a positive step for gender equality in athletics.
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