Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lafayette *
Bucknell Volleyball Drops 3-0 Decision to Lafayette
9/30/2006 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 30, 2006
EASTON, Pa. - Sophomore Shannon Pitsch (Oak Brook, Ill./Fenwick) managed a double-double with 20 assists and 10 digs, however the Bucknell volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Lafayette on Saturday in the Kirby Sports Center. With the setback, the Bison fall to 10-8, 2-2 in the Patriot League, while the Leopards improved to 3-1 in the league and 9-5 overall.
Senior Jennie Smith (Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry) had a team-high seven kills for the Orange and Blue, hitting .462 with just one error in 13 attempts. Classmate Sarah Groman (Hollister, Calif./San Benito) followed with six kills and senior Amanda Grossmann (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) totaled five kills. Senior Kristen Sydlowski (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) chipped in four service aces and 21 digs and freshman Jennifer Rupp (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa) recorded a career-best eight digs.
Veronica Canto-Ponce led Lafayette with 15 kills and 15 digs while also contributing four service aces and three block assists. Maura Kelly tallied 11 kills and four block assists, hitting .400 for the match (11-3-20). Megan Carter aided the Leopards' offense with 40 assists and Kari Horn and Michaela Donohue posted dig totals of 15 and 12, respectively.
In game one, the Leopards opened with a 10-4 lead and sailed to a 30-12 victory. Bucknell battled in game two, matching Lafayette point-for-point for most of the frame. However, with a 28-27 advantage, the Leopards managed to tally the two points they needed for a 30-27 win. Then in game three, Lafayette jumped in front, 11-4 and clinched the match with a 30-21 result.
"We didn't perform well offensively tonight and our blocking game was not up to snuff," said Bison head coach Cindy Opalski. "Clearly we missed Jenna Henderson and the 20 or so kills that she can contribute in a match."
Bucknell will be back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 3, when the team will travel to Philadelphia, Pa., to face Temple at 7 p.m.
