Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lehigh *
Bison Spikers Remain Perfect in League Play after Sweep of Lehigh
10/3/2003 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 3, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Jackie Leahy belted 15 kills and was one of four Bucknell players to hit over .300 in the Bison's three-game sweep of Lehigh Friday night in Davis Gym. Bucknell (7-8, 3-0 Patriot League) won its third straight match and has yet to drop a game in conference play.
In winning by game scores of 30-23, 30-19 and 30-26, the Bison hit .252 - their third-highest mark of the season -- including a stellar .396 in game two. Lehigh (9-8, 1-2), hit .128 for the match but hit below .100 in games one and three.
Brandi Trapasso and Sarah Groman tallied eight kills each, and Bison setter Breean Trapasso effectively moved the ball all evening, finishing with 41 assists. Defensively libero Chelsea Anderson piled up 18 digs, her high for a three-game match this season.
Michelle Schwendenmann finished with 12 kills and a .346 hitting percentage for the Mountain Hawks.
"The most significant and telling stat in the match was our offensive production," said Bucknell head coach Cindy Opalski. "We hit .252 as a team, which translates into us being aggressive, running things up-tempo, and attacking their defenders. The team is fun to watch because they keep getting better and don't rely on one or two players. We're getting production from many players, and it's paying dividends. Both Brandi and Chelsea Anderson played outstanding defense and I think we served really well as a team."
Bucknell never trailed in the opening game, taking the lead for good when Leahy's kill snapped a 7-7 tie. The Bison led only 13-12 when Brandi Trapasso's put-away ignited a 7-2 run. Groman's kill on game point gave the hosts a one-game lead.
The offenses dominated the middle frame, with both teams hitting well over .300. But it was the Bison who took early command, using successive kills from four different players to break open a 6-6 tie. Leading 22-16, Jennie Smith had two kills and Chelsea Robertson had a service ace to stretch the margin to 10 points at 26-16.
Lehigh took its first lead of the night early in game three, sprinting to a 10-3 advantage after Jeannette Singleton served five straight points. But after a Bison timeout, Singleton served one in the net, and Bucknell rattled off 12 of the next 16 points to claim a 15-14 lead. The game was tied at 14, 15, 16 and 17, but Leahy's kill ignited a 4-0 run that gave the Bison the lead for good.
Bucknell snapped a four-game losing streak to the Mountain Hawks, including a defeat in last season's Patriot League Tournament semifinals. Bucknell returns to action on Saturday when Lafayette comes to Davis Gym for a 4 p.m. contest.
