Bucknell University
American *
American Topples Bucknell in Battle of Patriot League Volleyball Unbeatens
10/10/2003 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 10, 2003
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Behind 18 kills from reigning player of the year Karla Kucerkova, American won a battle of the Patriot League's only two unbeaten teams with a 3-0 sweep of Bucknell Friday night at Bender Arena. The Bison (8-9, 4-1 PL) had not dropped a single game in four league matches entering the contest but were hampered by 25 hitting errors and 11 service errors against the two-time defending conference champions.
American (8-8, 5-0) won by game scores of 30-20, 32-30 and 30-22, overcoming a 10-point deficit to win game two. The Eagles hit .336, including a .429 mark from Kucerkova, while limiting the Bison to a .178 attack percentage.
Jackie Leahy led the Bison with 15 kills, while Brandi Trapasso added a dozen. Chelsea Robertson finished with 11 digs, Chelsea Anderson had 10 digs and Breean Trapasso handed out 40 assists. Freshman Sarah Groman logged eight kills without an error and hit .444 for the match.
"We did not play well against a good team, and American was able to take advantage," said Bucknell coach Cindy Opalski. "We did not serve well, and we did not hit well. Now we must regroup and quickly get focused for a good Navy team tomorrow."
Daria Bobko chipped in nine kills for the Eagles, who are now 33-0 in Patriot League play since joining the league in 2001.
The Bison face the Midshipmen on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Annapolis, Md.
