Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Holy Cross *
Bucknell Volleyball Opens Patriot League Play with 3-0 Win Over Holy Cross
9/22/2006 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 22, 2006
WORCESTER, Mass. - Junior Jenna Henderson (Elk Grove, Calif./Laguna Creek) recorded her fourth double-double of the season, helping the Bucknell volleyball team to a 3-0 victory over Holy Cross in the Hart Center on Friday evening. The win moved the Bison to 1-0 in Patriot League play, 9-6 overall, while the Crusaders dropped to 0-2 in the league, 2-11 overall.
Senior Sarah Groman (Hollister, Calif./San Benito) posted a match-best 13 kills to lead the Orange and Blue and hit .393 with just two errors in 28 attempts. Henderson followed with 12 kills and added two service aces and 13 digs. Senior Jennie Smith (Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry) totaled eight kills, hitting .389 (8-1-18), along with five block assists. Sophomore Shannon Pitsch (Oak Brook, Ill./Fenwick) contributed 43 assists and matched a career high with four service aces. Senior Kristen Sydlowski (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) registered 21 digs and classmate Allison Brady (Atherton, Calif./Sacred Heart Prep) logged three service aces.
For Holy Cross, Christine Strawson was the lone player to reach double figures in kills as she led the squad with 12, while Samantha Surface had nine kills and hit .333. Molly Anderson posted 12 digs and Katie Fitzpatrick and Valerie Mora totaled 10 digs apiece. Setter Chrissy Fanning aided the offense with 35 assists and also chipped in eight digs.
In game one, Bucknell led, 20-19, and proceeded to tally the next eight points. The Crusaders responded with a similar run of their own and threatened at 28-25, but the Bison managed to log the final two points they needed, taking the game, 30-25.
The Orange and Blue trailed from the outset in the second game, 5-4, but were able to climb in front, 6-5, and did not surrender the advantage for the remainder of the frame, winning by the score of 30-24.
Then in game three, the Bison led by four at 13-9, and widened the margin to nine with a 5-0 run, rolling to a 30-21 victory to close out the match.
"We saw contributions from many different players in the match, which truly shows the depth we have on this team," said head coach Cindy Opalski. "I think, in particular, Sarah and Jenna supplied us with some great things offensively tonight, while Kristen played tremendously for us defensively."
Bucknell next travels to West Point, N.Y., tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 23, to take on Patriot League foe Army at 5 p.m.
