Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Navy *
Bucknell Volleyball Outlasts Navy in Five Games
10/11/2003 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 11, 2003
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Brandi Trapasso notched a career-high 23 kills, hit .315 and added a match-high 24 digs to lead the Bucknell volleyball team to a 3-2 victory over Navy Saturday night at MacDonough Hall.
The two-and-a-half-hour marathon featured numerous momentum swings, with the Bison finally outlasting the persistent Mids 17-15 in the fifth game. Navy opened with a 30-27 decision before Bucknell surged ahead in games two and three, 30-21 and 33-31. The Mids stayed alive with a 30-27 decision in game four.
Bucknell (9-9, 5-1), now in second place in the Patriot League standings one game behind league-leading American, won for the first time in five five-game matches this season. Navy fell to 5-11, 2-4.
Jackie Leahy was the only other Bison to record double-digit kills with 12, but Bucknell was strong defensively with 91 digs and 15 blocks. Jennie Smith came within one of her own single-match record with nine block assists, while Leahy and Jessica Bissett totaled six blocks apiece.
Carolyn Dougherty enjoyed her best all-around match of the season with 18 digs, four service aces and three kills. Trapasso had only six errors in 54 swings for the Bison, who hit .133 for the match. Breean Trapasso handed out 48 assists.
Ashley VanHartesvelt led Navy with 20 kills and 21 digs, while Katey Geary added 19 kills.
"We worked very hard for this victory," said head coach Cindy Opalski. "It was probably our best team effort because winning on the road is still a skill that we are learning. We received contributions from many sources. Brandi [Trapasso] played exceeding well and Breean [Trapasso] moved the ball around well. Carolyn Dougherty and Chelsea Anderson were tremendous in the back, and I thought our bench really gave us a lift tonight as well."
The Bison return to Davis Gym, where they are 4-0 in league play this season, to face Colgate in a Homecoming Day contest next Saturday at 4 p.m.
