EASTON, Pa. –– The Navy volleyball team recorded its 20th victory of the season Thursday evening when the Mids (20-8, 12-3 Patriot League) posted a 25-16, 25-21, 25-14 win over Lafayette (5-22, 0-15) at the Kirby Sports Center in Easton, Pa.

Navy has now won at least 20 matches for the third year in a row (20 in 2016, 23 in 2017).  The program had posted only five 20-win campaigns in its first 24 years as a Division I program before this current run of success, and last did so in 2017.

"The team really dialed up its focus in the third set," said Navy head coach Paco Labrador.  "Our hitters did some nice evolving to the Lafayette block and defense."

The Mids as a team hit .283 on the night and limited the Leopards to a .164 attack percentage.  This was despite Navy holding just a 42-36 edge in kills.  Navy was able to outscore Lafayette from both the service line –– eight aces and two errors for the Mids; one ace and eight errors for the Leopards –– and in blocks –– 9-3 in favor of Navy.

Maddi Sgattoni (So., Pittsburgh, Pa.) led Navy with 14 kills.  She notched six of her kills in the final set.  Olivia Rozmus (Jr., Chicago, Ill.) continued her recent strong play by tallying seven kills, a .529 attack percentage and four blocks.  Also, middle hitter Melissa Carter (Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa.) made the first start of her career this evening and she made the most of the opportunity by posting seven kills, a .385 hitting percentage and five blocks.  Emily Solis (Jr., Leesburg, Va.) paced the Navy back-row defense with 12 digs.

"Mel did great in both hitting and blocking in the first start of her career," said Labrador.

Navy will close its regular season Friday night when the Mids play at Holy Cross.  A win by the Mids and a loss by American to Army on Saturday would give Navy a share of the league regular season title for the first time since 1999.  Regardless of the outcomes of the matches, Navy will be the No. 2 seed in next weekend's Patriot League Tournament.