Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
vs. Lehigh (PL Tournament)
Bucknell Volleyball Advances to PL Championship Match with 3-0 Sweep of Lehigh
11/22/2003 7:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 22, 2003
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sarah Groman and Jackie Leahy belted 13 kills each on Saturday to lead Bucknell to a 3-0 sweep of Lehigh and a berth in the Patriot League Championship match. The Bison, seeded second in the tournament, will face top-seeded and host American on Sunday at noon.
Bucknell (16-12) defeated Lehigh for the third time this season - all 3-0 victories - and advanced to the title match for the first time since winning the championship in 2000. American, which has never lost a Patriot League match since joining the conference in 2001, defeated Army 3-0 in Saturday's other semifinal tilt.
The Bison won by game scores of 30-22, 30-17 and 30-27.
"We played very well today; it's tough to beat a team three times in a season," said head coach Cindy Opalski. "We are playing for a championship, and the kids are excited and focused. They want to make Bucknell very proud of them."
Groman's 13 kills marked a career high as she hit .345. Brandi Trapasso added nine kills and 14 digs, while Breean Trapasso passed out 41 assists.
No Lehigh player record double-digit kills. The Mountain Hawks were led offensively by Michelle Schwendenmann's nine kills, while Jill Kober led all players with 17 digs.
Bucknell hit .190 in the match, including .333 in the game two runaway, while Lehigh hit just .074.
American took both matches from Bucknell during the regular season, winning 3-0 in Washington and 3-1 in Lewisburg earlier this month.
The Bison have won two Patriot League championships, in 1998 and 2000.
