Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Saint Francis (Pa.)
Bucknell Volleyball Records 3-1 Victory Over Saint Francis (Pa.)
10/24/2007 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 24, 2007
LORETTO, Pa. - In its first non-league match in over a month, the Bucknell volleyball team recorded a 3-1 victory over Saint Francis on the road in Loretto, Pa., on Wednesday evening. The Bison, who were led by senior Jenna Henderson's (Elk Grove, Calif./Laguna Creek) 23 kills, improved their record to 11-13 on the season, while the Red Flash dropped to 8-18 with the loss.
After being down, 4-2, early in game one, the Bison quickly evened the score by tallying the next two points and eventually used an 8-2 run to stretch their advantage to 29-21. Saint Francis collected the next three points to cut its deficit to five, but a kill by Henderson sealed the 30-24 win for Bucknell on the next point.
Game two came down to the wire as the teams played close throughout the frame. With the score tied at 26, two errors by the Red Flash and a kill by Henderson brought the Bison to within a point of taking the set. Saint Francis rallied to even the score at 29, but it would not surpass Bucknell as the Orange and Blue took the next two points on a Red Flash service error and a kill by Henderson to collect the 31-29 decision.
Then in game three, Saint Francis spoiled the Bison sweep with a 30-17 victory. The Red Flash raced out to an 11-4 advantage and never looked back as the squad combined for 20 kills on 34 attempts with just two errors for a .529 hitting percentage.
The Bison, undeterred, returned to form in game four. With the score tied at 12, Bucknell tallied four straight points, which began a 12-2 run. The Orange and Blue led comfortably the rest of the way in the 30-20 match-clinching win.
Henderson, who equaled her career high in kills, hit .477 (23-2-44) and completed her double-double with 15 digs. Behind her were junior Emilie Hardinge (Darien Conn./Darien) and freshman Kelsey Lisle (Marriottsville, Md./Seton Keough) with 10 kills apiece for the Bison. Hardinge also added 10 digs for a double-double, while junior Sheena Czipri (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora) contributed 12 digs. Sophomore setter Allison Gittings (Dayton, Md./Glenelg) compiled a career-high 51 assists to aid the offensive effort.
For Saint Francis, Kristin Buter totaled 18 kills and 13 digs, while Shirley Miller, Lindsay Malloy and Keshia Gibbs followed with kill totals of 15, 14 and 10, respectively. Rikki Myers chipped in with 32 assists and Alexa Ebert recorded 24 assists. Christine Breisch finished with a team-high 16 digs for the Red Flash.
"We had great production tonight from our hitters, thanks to Allison doing a wonderful job running the offense," said Bucknell assistant coach Anna Allison. "Our attack was evenly distributed. We played a great match."
The Bison will take to the road again on Friday, Oct. 26, for a Patriot League match at Colgate in Hamilton, N.Y., beginning at 6 p.m.
