Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Colgate *
Bucknell Volleyball Powers Past Colgate, 3-1
10/15/2005 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 15, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Three Bison players totaled 16 kills as the Bucknell volleyball squad dealt Colgate a 3-1 loss on the court in Davis Gym Saturday evening. The victory moved the Bison to 13-9 overall with a 5-2 record in the Patriot League and the Raiders dropped to 4-16 overall, 3-4 in Patriot League play.
In game one, the teams played almost point for point with each other until Bucknell managed to pull away with an 8-3 run. The run gave the Bison a six-point cushion that would carry the squad to a 30-25 game one win. Then, despite climbing back from a 27-23 deficit to tie the score at 27 in game two, Bucknell narrowly missed going up 2-0 in the match as Colgate took game two, 31-29.
Much like game one, the Bison used a run midway through to distance themselves from the Raiders in game three. With the score tied at 13, Bucknell jumped out to a 20-16 lead with the help of kills by sophomore Jenna Henderson (Elk Grove, Calif./Laguna Creek) and junior Kristen Sydlowski (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) and did not trail in the remainder of the game en route to a 30-23 victory in game three.
Down, 11-8 in game four, Bucknell took a timeout, then responded with a rally to tie the score at 12. The Bison closed out the match by outscoring Colgate, 18-11 the rest of the way, winning game four, 30-23.
Sydlowski, Henderson and junior Jennie Smith (Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry) totaled 16 kills apiece to lead the Bucknell squad. Sydlowski also contributed 23 digs for her 10th double-double of the season and second-consecutive match with 20-plus digs. Henderson and freshman Shannon Pitsch (Oak Brook, Ill./Fenwick) posted double-doubles as well, Henderson adding 15 digs along with her 16 kills and Pitsch registering 27 assists and 15 digs. Smith hit .441 with only one error in 34 attempts and added seven blocks. Senior Jessica Le (Red Lion, Pa./Red Lion) tallied 32 assists and senior Chelsea Anderson (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif./Torrey Pines) pitched in with 26 digs in the victory.
"Jennie Smith was virtually unstoppable on the front line, hitting over their blockers," said Bucknell head coach Cindy Opalski. "I was also extremely pleased with our balanced offensive effort. It really shows the depth we have as a team."
Katrina Zawojski had a match-high 19 kills to head up Colgate's offense along with 11 digs. Christy Gault followed with 10 kills and setter Allie Nichols had 42 assists and 14 digs. Jackie Adlam and Meghaan Walsh compiled totals of 28 and 13 digs, respectively.
The Bison return to action on Friday, Oct. 21, when the team will play host to Navy in a Patriot League match slated for 7 p.m. in Davis Gym.
