Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lafayette *
Bucknell Volleyball Clinches Playoff Spot with 3-0 Victory Over Lafayette
11/5/2005 7:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 5, 2005
EASTON, Pa. - The Bucknell volleyball team clinched its sixth-straight Patriot League tournament berth, the squad's 14th appearance in the postseason in 15 years, with a 3-0 win over Lafayette on Saturday evening. The Bison improved to 8-5 in League play, 16-12 overall, while the Leopards dropped to 4-9 in the Patriot League, 15-14 overall. With one League match remaining, the Bison can finish no worse than fourth by virtue of having a two-win lead on Colgate in the standings and will travel to the League tournament on Nov. 18.
The Bucknell defense held Lafayette to less than 20 points in two of the three games. The Bison won the three games by the scores of 30-19, 30-25 and 30-17 and held the Leopards to a .111 hitting percentage. Senior Chelsea Anderson (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif./Torrey Pines) headed up the Bucknell defense with 22 digs while junior Kristen Sydlowski (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) followed with 18 digs and sophomore Jenna Henderson (Elk Grove, Calif./Laguna Creek) chipped in with 17 digs.
Sydlowski and Henderson helped lead the offense as well. They each added double-digit kill totals along with junior Jennie Smith (Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry), as the three players chipped in 12 kills apiece. Sydlowski hit a match-best .400 with no errors in 30 attempts and Smith followed, hitting .364 with only four errors over 22 attempts. Setters Jessica Le (Red Lion, Pa./Red Lion) and Shannon Pitsch (Oak Brook, Ill./Fenwick) recorded 19 assists each. Pitch and Anderson both registered a match-high four service aces.
"Peaking at the right time of the year is a key element for us to challenge for a championship we're planning on doing that," said Bucknell head coach Cindy Opalski. "We've got two weeks left in our season and once again it feels good to be extending that season just a little bit more."
Veronica Canto-Ponce led the Leopards in kills with 14 and in digs with 18. Audrey O'Donnell tallied 12 digs and Megan Carter dished 28 assists for Lafayette.
The Bison will return home for their final regular season match on Tuesday, Nov. 8, when the team will take the court against La Salle at 7 p.m. in Davis Gym.
