Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Army *
Bucknell Volleyball Opens Patriot Slate with Sweep of Army
9/26/2003 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 26, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Jackie Leahy swatted six of her match-high 12 kills in a tense game three, leading Bucknell to a 3-0 victory over Army in the Patriot League opener for both teams Friday night at Davis Gym.
The Bison (5-8, 1-0) won by game scores of 30-20, 30-24 and 32-30 to stop a three-match losing streak. Army fell to 8-7, 0-1.
Bucknell fell behind early in each of the first two games before surging ahead. In game one the Bison trailed 2-0 before taking the lead for good at 6-5 on Brandi Trapasso's kill. A 5-0 run stretched a narrow 11-9 edge to 16-9, and Trapasso's service ace later gave Bucknell a commanding 12-point lead at 29-17.
Army jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead in game two behind one of Abigail Stampfler's team-high 12 kills and three Bucknell hitting errors. But the Bison scored six of the next seven points to take a 7-6 lead, and they never again trailed in the frame. Consecutive kills by Trapasso, Leahy and Sarah Groman snapped a 12-all tie, and later in the game Jennie Smith belted three kills in a span of five points to key a 6-0 run that gave the hosts a commanding 21-14 cushion. Army closed within five points late in the game but Leahy's put-away on game point made it a 2-0 lead for Bucknell.
A nailbiter of a third game produced 10 ties and eight lead changes, with both teams faltering on game point in the match's waning minutes. Caitlin Machon's kill gave the Black Knights a 26-23 lead, but consecutive kills by Chelsea Robertson and Becky Fisher, and a shared block by Robertson and Smith, capped a 4-0 run that swayed the advantage back to the Bison at 29-27.
But the Black Knights weren't done, storming to three straight points on a kill by setter Abby Casciato, another from Stampfler and a Bison attack error. Leading 30-29, Army seemed poised to send the contest into a fourth game, but Casciato's serve landed wide to make it 30-30, and Fisher followed with two consecutive service aces - doubling her season total - to finish the victory for Bucknell.
"This was a sweet win because it was our league opener, but it was even sweeter because it was a total team effort," said Bucknell head coach Cindy Opalski. "We had very balanced scoring, and if we can keep that up we could be can be a very good team. We are not the type of team where you can take away one person and neutralize our whole attack."
Trapasso joined Leahy in double figures with 10 kills, and the duo combined to hit a solid .309 for the match. Breean Trapasso passed out 38 assists and totaled 15 digs, while libero Chelsea Anderson had a strong night in the back row with 15 digs. Smith logged eight kills and six blocks.
Army finished with a 47-43 advantage in kills but hit only .122 for the match, compared to Bucknell's .174. The Black Knights hit a combined .077 in the first two games before warming to .208 in game three. Army libero Becky Brown led all players with 16 digs.
Both teams get right back to conference action on Saturday. The Bison host Holy Cross at 4 p.m., while Army travels to Colgate.
