Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell's Women's Volleyball Wraps Up 2002 Season
1/16/2003 7:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Jan. 16, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell's volleyball team wrapped up it's 2002 campaign with a 15-13 overall record and 9-6 in the Patriot League. The Bison completed their season with a third place finish at the Patriot League Championship in November.
Recently, the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) has nationally ranked the Bison. Bucknell was ranked 16th in team digs per game. The Orange and Blue averaged 18.30 digs per game during the 2002 season and accumulated 1,885 total digs.
The Bison were also recognized for their aces per game average. Averaging 2.17 aces per game Bucknell was ranked 22nd nationally in Division I institutions in that category. The Bison produced 224 aces throughout 103 games.
On an individual note, junior outside hitter Brandi Trapasso (North Tonawanda, N.Y./North Tonawanda) was ranked 21st, by the NCAA, with an average of 4.49 digs per game. She tallied 462 digs in the 103 games, and marked her 1,000th dig on Oct. 11.
The 2002 season was full of highlights for the Bison. Bucknell started the season off 6-6 before starting League play. The Orange and Blue fell to Lehigh, 3-1, in the first conference match of the season, but quickly recovered when they followed up with a 5-1 run. Bucknell completed the regular season with a 15-12 overall record and 9-5 in the conference and clinched the No. 3 seed in the Patriot League Championship. The Bison fell in the first round of the Championship, 3-0 to Lehigh.
Leaders for the Bison included, seniors Melanie Ghiz (New Canaan, Conn./New Canaan) and Jennifer Wrigley (Benicia, Calif./Bencia). Ghiz competed in 252 games in her career. She accomplished the highest hitting percentage (.253) of the team and marked 87 blocks during the 2002 season. Ghiz tallied a career-high 24 kills in a four-game match against Colgate, during her senior year. She also led the team with 44 aces.
Wrigley performed in a total of 384 games during her career at Bucknell. She marked her 1,000th career dig during the first Colgate match of the season. The senior captured 309 digs for the season and 246 kills for the Bison. Wrigley was a top contributor with 32 service aces.
The juniors of the team, Breean and Brandi Trapasso (North Tonawanda, N.Y./North Tonawanda), assisted in many of the accomplishments the Bison had captured. Breean, a setter, marked 1,103 assists for Bucknell. Defensively, Breean marked 279 digs during the season. Breean tallied career-high 61 assists in a four-game match against Colgate. Brandi marked her 1,000th career dig and topped the Bison with her 4.49 dig per game average. The Trapasso twins each tallied 35 service aces in 2002.
Jessica Bissett (Orachard Park, N.Y./Orachard Park), Carolyn Dougherty (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial), Jackie Leahy (Plainview, N.Y./Bethpage) and Chelsea Robertson (Kenmore, N.Y./Kenmore West) returned for their second season with the Bison. These well-rounded sophomores assisted Bucknell throughout the season. Bissett marked a .146 hitting percentage during her 76 showings. She also assisted with 37 total blocks. Dougherty competed in 67 games and tallied 113 digs. Leahy marked 172 kills, 20 service aces, 48 assists and 40 total blocks. Robertson assisted the Bison in 88 games and produced 22 aces while serving.
The six newcomers of the group, Chelsea Anderson (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif./Torrey Pines), Courtney Clark (Tuscaloosa, Ala./Holy Spirit Catholic), Becky Fisher (Stamford, Conn./Derien), Christie Keil (St. James, N.Y./Smithtown), Jessica Le (Red Lion, Pa./Red Lion) and Amanda Rowe (Wilmington, Del./Archmere Academy), made their showing in a number of the matches throughout the season. Anderson competed in 98 games and played in the new libero position for the Bison. She marked 350 digs during her rookie season. Clark measured a .206 hitting percentage for Bucknell in 46 games, while Fisher participated in 57 games. Keil and Rowe also saw playing time in over 10 games for their first season. Le grabbed time in 26 games.
The Bison were honored with a number of awards throughout the season. The Patriot League named Breean Trapasso and Mel Ghiz, Players of the Week, while Chelsea Anderson received the Rookie of the Week award. Ghiz and Brandi Trapasso were named to the All-Tournament team at the University of Buffalo Hampton Inn-vitational. Ghiz and Breean Trapasso were All-Tournament members at the Holiday Inn Express Tournament at Stony Brook University. Finally, Breean Trapasso and Chelsea Anderson were named to the Bucknell Bull Run Inn-vitational All-Tournament team. Breean Trapasso was also named to the Verizon All-Academic District II second-team.
