ANNAPOLIS, Md. –– Kelsey Kingsland (Sr., Blackwell, Mo.) recorded 10 of her 11 kills in the last two sets to boost the Navy volleyball team to a 3-0 victory over Lafayette Tuesday night at the Wesley A. Brown Field House in Annapolis.  The Mids (14-6, 6-1 Patriot League) defeated the Leopards (5-14, 0-7), 25-15, 25-14, 25-23, to win a match in a sweep for the third time in five days.
 
The win by the Mids coupled with American rallying from being down two sets to defeat Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pa., this evening moves Navy into sole possession of second place in the Patriot League standings.  The Eagles, who defeated the Mids in five sets nine days ago, remain atop the league table with a 7-0 record.  The Mountain Hawks, who lost a five-set match in their home gym to Navy on the opening weekend of the league season, are in third place with a 5-2 record.
 
"This was a total team effort," said Navy head coach Paco Labrador, who used 18 players in the match and saw 12 of them record at least one kill.  "It was great to see the depth of our roster play hard and showcase the hard work they invest in during every practice."
 
Navy slowly pulled away from Lafayette in the opening set.  The Mids used a 6-1 run to build a 14-8 advantage.  Lafayette tallied the ensuing two points, but Navy responded with a 4-0 run to take a commanding 18-10 lead.
 
The Mids held the Leopards to just five kills in the first set, but Navy committed six service errors to aid Lafayette's scoring.
 
Navy ripped off six of the first seven points of the second set to take early control of the frame.  The Mids hit a sizzling .536 (17 kills, two errors, 28 attempts) and held the Leopards to a mark of .121 in taking the 2-0 advantage.
 
Navy tied to keep the momentum going on its side in the third stanza by quickly scoring the first three points.  Lafayette tied the set at 7-7 and the score would be tied again at 12-12, 13-13 and 14-14.  The Mids would take two-point leads at 16-14 and 17-15, but back came the Leopards and soon they held a 19-18 lead.
 
The teams exchanged sideouts on the next five points –– making the score 21-21 –– then a Lafayette attack error gave Navy a 22-21 lead.  A service error by the Mids tied the set again, and that miscue was the first of four-straight sideouts which led to the Mids taking a 24-23 lead on a Lafayette hitting error.  Sarena Seelbach (Jr., Chapel Hill, N.C.) would post a kill for the Mids on the next point to close out the 75-minute contest.
 
The ability to win the sideout contest was big factor once again in Navy coming away with the victory.  The Mids allowed Lafayette to score just 13 points on its 54 serves, with seven of those points coming in set three.  Conversely, Navy totaled 34 points on its 73 serves.
 
Navy's offense tallied 49 kills and hit .369 and its defense limited Lafayette to 26 kills and a .135 attack percentage.  The Mids also led the Leopards in digs (49-35) and aces (5-3), with Lafayette posting a 7-6 edge in blocks.
 
Kingsland recorded a combined 10 kills and two attack errors on 17 swings in sets two and three (.471) to end the night with 11 kills on 19 attempts (.474).  Joining her with 11 kills was fellow outside hitter Maddi Sgattoni (So., Pittsburgh, Pa.).  Sgattoni also grabbed 15 digs, which left her one behind team leader's Sydney Shearn (So., Louisville, Ky.) 16.
 
Handling the setters spot during the majority of the latter two-thirds of the match was Paige Miles (Jr., Oklahoma City, Okla.).  She registered 27 assists during her extended stint on the court.
 
"Paige played extremely well tonight," said Labrador, "and Maddi really scrapped on defense.  Credit Lafayette (which started four freshmen) for continuing to battle for every point.  They have a very physical, young team who plays with a ton of heart."
 
Navy will close the first half of the Patriot League season Saturday when the Mids play host to Holy Cross at 8 p.m.