Bucknell University
Chicago State
Bucknell Volleyball Collects First Victory of the Season, 3-0 Over Chicago State
8/25/2007 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 25, 2007
USAF Academy, Colo. - Behind a .355 team hitting percentage, the Bucknell volleyball squad picked up its first victory of the 2007 season, winning 3-0 over Chicago State on Saturday morning at the Air Force Invitational. The Bison improve to 1-1 on the year, while the Cougars fall to 0-2.
Bucknell took the games by the scores of 30-24, 30-19 and 30-13, committing just nine attack errors in the match. In addition the Bison served up 10 aces with just one reception error and held Chicago State to a .078 hitting percentage over the three frames.
Junior Emilie Hardinge (Darien Conn./Darien) led the attack for the Orange and Blue as she totaled 11 kills with two service aces, nine digs and hit .333 (11-2-27). Senior Jenna Henderson (Elk Grove, Calif./Laguna Creek) followed with 10 kills and hit a blistering .471 with only two errors in 17 attempts. Henderson completed her first double-double of the season, notching 11 digs in the contest. Freshman Heidi Kamp (Springfield, Ore./Henry D. Sheldon) contributed nine kills on .400 hitting (9-1-20) with two blocks and senior Tessa Mendez (Denver, Colo./Colorado Academy) hit .368 with seven kills on 19 attempts and no errors. Junior setter Shannon Pitsch (Oak Brook, Ill./Fenwick) compiled 37 assists and sophomore Jennifer Rupp (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa) headed up the defensive effort for the Bison with a match-best 13 digs.
Jessica Khouri had a team-high nine kills and nine digs for the Cougars. Jennifer Van Kempen recorded seven kills, Jennifer Hoffman registered nine digs and Hanya Minta tallied 23 assists.
"It was a much better effort on our part defensively today compared to last night's match," said Bucknell head coach Cindy Opalski. "That was a major factor in our success along with improved serving and serve receiving."
The Bison will close out their trip to the Air Force Invitational this evening with a match against the host Falcons at 9 p.m.
