Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
18-8,11-5Patriot
Lehigh
12-14,6-10Patriot
Volleyball Sweeps No. 6 Lehigh to Secure First Round Win in Patriot League Tournament
November 18, 2025 | Volleyball
WEST POINT, N.Y. — Army West Point volleyball (18-8, 11-5) started the postseason with a bang, earning a sweep over the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks (12-14, 6-10), 3-0.
With the win, the Black Knights reach the semifinal round of the Patriot League tournament for the fourth consecutive season and will aim to make a championship appearance for the second-straight year.
Army swept the Lehigh Mountain Hawks 25-20, 25-17 and 27-18.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Army opened the match with strong tempo and clean ball control, quickly establishing a rhythm behind steady setting from Juliette Myrick and Naomi Chinchar. Chloe Murakami sparked the Black Knights early with a series of kills and defensive reads that forced multiple Lehigh attack errors.
After taking an early 5–0 lead behind a Murakami service ace and a pair of kills from Janie Deapen and Blackburn, Army continued to stay in front with balanced scoring. Fisher added a kill in transition, and Lynch contributed an early block that disrupted Lehigh's offensive flow.
Midway through the set, Army created crucial separation when Chinchar delivered back-to-back service aces, pushing the lead to 20–14. Army's block, featuring Parker and Lynch, turned away several Lehigh swings, and Murakami continued to score efficiently on the outside.
As Lehigh attempted a late push, Army responded with kills. Murakami sealed multiple key rallies, and Army closed the set 25–20 with another kill from Blackburn to take a 1–0 lead.
Army carried its momentum into set two, jumping out quickly with kills from Murakami and Parker as the Black Knights continued to win the serve-and-pass battle. Chinchar again provided a steady presence, feeding the middles and pin hitters effectively.
Nicole Stroud became the sparkplug of the set, delivering a service ace and then scoring on multiple swings that stretched Army's lead. The Black Knights' blocking unit, Parker, Deapen and Lynch, shut down Lehigh's attempts to rally, producing consecutive stuffs that kept Lehigh out of system.
Army found its best scoring rhythm midway through the set, with Murakami and Myrick linking up for clean swings out of the back row and Lynch hammering consecutive kills to push the lead further. Deapen added important points through the middle to keep Lehigh from gaining ground.
Late in the set, Army continued to capitalize on Lehigh's errors while staying aggressive at the net. A clutch kill from Blackburn off a Chinchar feed brought the Black Knights to set point, and Army closed out the frame 25–17 to take a 2–0 match lead.
With a sweep in reach, Army started set three by trading points before gradually taking control. Murakami continued her standout match, delivering kills from both pins and from the service line.
Lynch added a service ace early that helped give Army momentum as both teams settled into a closely contested middle phase.
Army's front row, Blackburn, Deapen, Parker and Lynch, played a major role defensively, combining for multiple blocks that halted Lehigh's scoring runs.
Murakami and Chinchar then provided back-to-back kills to help Army move ahead 7–3, and the Black Knights maintained a narrow edge through the teens thanks to strong passing and transition swings from Blackburn.
After Lehigh narrowed the gap to 19–18, Army completely took over the final stretch. Murakami delivered a clutch service ace followed by consecutive kills, and Lynch finished off two more plays in transition. With Stroud feeding the attack cleanly, Army closed the set on a dominant 7–0 run.
Lynch sealed the sweep with another kill on set point, giving Army the 25–18 victory and a 3–0 match win.
Black Knight Bullet Points
- Michelle Parker recorded nine kills, hit a spectacular .818, and added five total blocks (one solo, four assists) for 12.0 points.
- Chloe Murakami led the team with 12 kills, contributing two service aces and 14.0 total points while also picking up four digs.
- Mackenzie Lynch finished with seven kills, hitting .120 while also adding a service ace, 12 digs, and three total blocks for 10.0 points.
- Janie Deapen added four kills, hit .250, and produced three block assists while also recording one dig for 5.5 points.
- Corrine Blackburn tallied six kills, hit .250, and added a block assist to reach 6.5 total points.
- Naomi Chinchar distributed 18 assists, delivered two service aces, and added 14 digs for a strong all-around performance.
- Juliette Myrick contributed three kills, hit .091, dished out 17 assists, and picked up eight digs for 3.0 points.
- Nicole Stroud added a service ace, two assists, and 12 digs to support Army's ball control.
- Norah Shattan added a service ace, contributing two digs and 1.0 total point.
- Army finished the match with 41 kills on 105 swings, hitting an efficient .210 as a team and producing seven service aces, applying consistent pressure from the service line.
- Army tallied 12 total team blocks, combining two solo blocks and 10 block assists across the front line, and the team collected 53 digs, showing strong defensive coverage throughout the match.
Coach's Corner
"I'm really proud of our entire team and our entire coaching staff," head coach Alma Kovaci Lee said. "Everyone was locked in and the team had a great mindset going into this game. They worked really hard together."
"Our setters did a great job running the offense by setting the middles on the right side," Kovaci Lee continued. "We knew that our outsides were going to have a tough time because of the physical blocking that Lehigh has. So our goal was to pass the ball around the middle, and they did a great job today."
"I still think that we need to continue to have a good mindset. I think creating a culture of being locked in and paying attention to details prior to the game. Playing a team for the third time, there should be no surprises. We should be locked in and prepared to go play our best volleyball. We never know the outcome, but what we expect is to be to not be surprised and play our best volleyball."
Up Next
The Black Knights continue their quest for a Patriot League Championship on Friday, Nov. 21 at 3 p.m. ET inside Bender Arena in Washington, D.C., taking on the No. 2 Colgate University Raiders.
A rematch of the 2024 Patriot League Championship Game, the two teams split the season series, both winning on their home courts. Colgate earned a 3-0 win on Cotterell Court on Oct. 4, while Army earned a 3-2 win inside Gillis Field House on Oct. 25.
For fans who cannot make it to Bender Arena on Nov. 21 at 3 p.m. ET, the match will also stream live on ESPN+.
Follow Along
For complete coverage of Army West Point women's volleyball, follow the Black Knights on X and Instagram at @ArmyWP_VB and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.
