Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Holy Cross *
Bucknell Volleyball Bests Holy Cross, 3-2
10/21/2006 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 21, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - With 30 digs on Saturday evening, senior Kristen Sydlowski (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) brought her career total to 978, to pass Emily Pomeroy for fifth all-time in program history, as the Bucknell volleyball team defeated Holy Cross, 3-2, on the court in Davis Gym. The victory was the second of the weekend for the Orange and Blue, bringing the team's season record to 15-10, 6-3 in the Patriot League, while the Crusaders dropped to 3-17, 1-8 in league play.
In addition to entering the Bison career leaders list, Sydlowski also brought her season total to 479 digs, good for second on the school's single season list. With five regular season matches remaining, she trails the Bucknell record, set by Susie Teitsworth in 1995, by 49 digs.
Junior Jenna Henderson (Elk Grove, Calif./Laguna Creek) headed up the Bison attack against Holy Cross with 23 kills, matching her career high. Senior Sarah Groman (Hollister, Calif./San Benito) followed with 20 kills and added six blocks, while senior Amanda Grossmann (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) had eight kills and senior Jennie Smith (Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry) chipped in with seven, to go along with seven blocks (1-6). Sophomore Shannon Pitsch (Oak Brook, Ill./Fenwick) notched her second double-double of the weekend as she recorded 55 assists and a career-best 20 digs, while also totaling three service aces. Freshman Rachel Freeman (San Mateo, Calif./San Mateo) and senior Allison Brady (Atherton, Calif./Sacred Heart Prep) posted 12 and 10 digs, respectively.
Christine Strawson and Liz Auger registered 13 kills apiece to lead the Crusaders. Strawson also contributed 11 digs as she and Valerie Mora, who had 12 kills and 13 digs, both finished the match with double-doubles. Setter Chrissy Fanning registered a double-double as well, with 42 assists and 16 digs. Molly Anderson tallied a match-high 33 digs and four service aces and Katie Fitzpatrick aided the defensive effort with 10 digs.
In game one, Bucknell raced out to a 9-3 advantage and would never trail on the way to a 30-19 victory.
The Bison followed up in game two by building to a seven-point lead after a 5-0 run put the squad ahead, 14-7. Bucknell went on to take the second point in the match with a 30-20 decision.
Holy Cross fought back in games three and four. In game three, the Crusaders matched the Orange and Blue point-for-point before managing to take their largest lead of the game at 25-21. The Bison climbed to within one at 26-25, but Holy Cross outscored Bucknell, 4-1, to take the game, 30-26. Then in game four, the Crusaders raced out in front, 16-7, and, despite the Bison closing the gap to three at 27-24, Holy Cross held on to force a game five with a 30-24 win.
Bucknell came back on the court for the final game and collected its first six points off kills for a 6-1 lead and captured the game, 15-9, behind a team hitting percentage of .458 in the frame.
The Bison will remain idle until next weekend, Oct. 27 and 28, when the squad will play host to Patriot League matches on Friday against Lafayette and on Saturday against Lehigh, both beginning at 7 p.m.
