GOSHEN, Ind. – Head coach Jewel Lehman knew that hosting defending Mid-Central College Conference Co-Champions Taylor University would be a tough task for her team as they opened their conference campaign.
She was right, but the Maple Leafs fought tenaciously, giving the visiting Trojans all the could handle in a 19-25, 20-25, 24-26 defeat.
"We were in the first two sets up until about 15-18 points and then we let them get a bit of a run," said Lehman, who is in her fifth season at the helm.
"Against a tough team like Taylor there is little margin for let down."
An experienced Taylor squad used superb passing and efficiency to make runs late in the first two sets. With Taylor simply not making mistakes, the margin of error was extremely slim for the Maple Leafs and despite some strong defensive efforts, they could not sustain a run.
"While we struggled to stop their top attackers at the net, I thought we had a great defensive evening in the back row," Lehman added. "We made some amazing plays and I am proud of that part of our game."
In game three, a very young Goshen squad showed a lot of poise as they fought off match point at 23-24 and were inches away from sending the match into a fourth set before a Taylor block ended the Leafs hopes of an upset.
"I am pleased with the poise of our team and that we stayed calm against this tough team in front of our home crowd for the first time this season," Lehman added. "It is not easy to open conference play with one of the top two teams in the conference."
Sophomore Peni Acayo continued her early-season tear on the competition with a match-high 20 kills. The reigning NAIA Region VIII Freshman of the Year hit at an incredible .474 clip, while also picking up 10 digs, three aces and two solo blocks.
Brittany Herschberger led the Leafs with 13 digs, while Allison Hawkins had 10 digs and 35 assists.
It was the home opener for Goshen, who will not get the pleasure of playing in the Roman Gingerich Rec-Fitness Center again until September 23 when they host Indiana Wesleyan.
"We appreciate the fan support we had last night," concluded Lehman. "There was a lot of positive energy in the gym!"
The Leafs get a little bit of rest before their next contest on September 16 when they travel to MCC foe Huntington University.
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