Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
St. Francis (N.Y.) (St. Francis (N.Y.) Invitational)
Bucknell Volleyball Completes Perfect Weekend with Sweep of Morgan State and St. Francis (N.Y.)
9/10/2006 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 9, 2006
Box Score vs. Morgan State
Box Score vs. St. Francis (N.Y.)
BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Jenna Henderson (Elk Grove, Calif./Laguna Creek) and Emilie Hardinge (Darien, Conn./Darien) each piled up double figures in kills and digs to lead the Bucknell volleyball team to a 3-1 win over Morgan State Saturday morning at the St. Francis Invitational. The Bison won 30-28, 30-27, 24-30, 30-22. Later in the day they swept host St. Francis (N.Y.) 3-0, winning 30-21, 30-17, 30-24, to extend their winning streak to five matches.
With a win over Niagara Friday night, Bucknell posted a perfect 3-0 record over the weekend to climb above .500 on the season at 6-5. Its five-match winning streak is its longest since posting seven straight in 2003.
Henderson posted 20 kills against Morgan State, while Hardinge chipped in 16. Amanda Grossmann Allentown, Pa./Parkland) added 10.
Highlighting the match was a strong defensive effort that featured 14 digs from Henderson and 13 from Hardinge. Kristen Sydlowski (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) led the way with 26 digs. Jennie Smith (Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry) and Sarah Groman (Hollister, Calif./San Benito) posted five block assists apiece as the team totaled nine blocks.
Shannon Pitsch (Oak Brook, Ill./Fenwick), who is averaging double figures in assists, posted 47 despite a .154 hitting percentage for the Bison.
Bucknell and Morgan State combined for 67 attacking errors, including 35 for the Bears, who hit just .113.
The Bison controlled the nightcap against the host Terriers with the closest game being a six-point spread. Bucknell committed just 11 errors and hit .361 for the match. Liz Hazuka (Colorado Springs, Colo./Cheyenne Mountain) posted 12 kills and hit .435, while Lindsay Smith (Lafayette, Colo./Monarch) hit a team-high .600 with nine kills and no errors in 15 attempts.
Bucknell's depth paid off against the undermanned St. Francis team that had only eight players appear in the match compared to 13 for the Bison. In fact, Bucknell regulars Groman, Henderson and Jennie Smith each appeared in only one game.
The Bison return home next weekend, Sept. 15-16, to host the Bucknell Invitational. They will welcome La Salle, Princeton and Wagner to Davis Gym for the two-day, six-match tournament.
