Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Navy *
Bison Volleyball Wins Seventh in a Row, 3-0 over Navy
11/7/2003 7:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 7, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Jackie Leahy belted 11 of her match-high 20 kills in the opening game to get Bucknell started on the right foot, and the Bison never looked back en route to a 3-0 sweep of Navy before 412 fans in Davis Gym Saturday night. The victory was the seventh in a row for Bucknell, which is now a best-ever 11-1 in Patriot League play and 15-9 overall.
The victory sets up a first-place showdown with American on Saturday night in Davis Gym. After a 3-0 win at Colgate Friday, the Eagles are 12-0 this season and 40-0 since joining the Patriot League in 2001. Game time for the battle between the two Patriot League heavyweights is set for 7 p.m.
Navy (10-15, 5-7) fell two games behind Army and Lehigh for the fourth and final Patriot League Tournament spot with two league matches remaining.
Led by 44 assists from senior Breean Trapasso, the most in a three-game match this season by any Patriot League setter, Bucknell looked sharp while trying to avoid looking past a persistent Navy team with the American clash looming on Saturday night. The Bison won by game scores of 30-25, 31-29, 30-23.
"This is a very unique team in that they have seemed to learn to find the best way to get things done," said head coach Cindy Opalski. "This easily could have been a four or five-game match against a very motivated Navy team that is fighting for the last playoff spot. We didn't stop all their hitters tonight, but we didn't let them take long runs."
A 4-1 run late in game one helped the Bison break open a tight game. Leahy, whose 20 kills marked a career high for a three-game match, closed out the opening frame with her 11th put-away of the night.
Game two featured a whopping 19 ties, the last at 29-all following a kill from Katey Geary. But Amanda McHenry's service error got Bucknell to game point, and Jessica Bissett ended the frame with one of her seven kills on the night.
Bucknell got its block going to assume an early lead in game three. Jennie Smith had a hand in blocks on three consecutive points, including a solo block of McHenry on the last, to give the Bison an early 5-1 cushion. Bucknell never again trailed in the match, although Navy did use a 4-0 run to pull within 15-14 on Geary's kill. But Leahy and Bissett followed with kills to push the margin back to 18-14, and the Bison led by at least three points the rest of the way.
Brandi Trapasso, who was honored during intermission for breaking the Bucknell and Patriot League career digs record earlier this season, logged a match-high 21 digs against the Mids. Libero Chelsea Anderson had 17 as the Bison outdug Navy 69-57. Trapasso also hit double figures in kills with 11.
Ashley VanHartesvelt led Navy with 16 kills and 17 digs. Geary and McHenry had eight kills apiece.
Bucknell hit .206 for the match, while Navy hit .165.
