Bucknell University
Air Force
Bucknell Volleyball Battles, But Falls to Air Force, 3-0
8/26/2007 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 25, 2007
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Senior Jenna Henderson (Elk Grove, Calif./Laguna Creek) reached a milestone with her 1,000th career kill, but the Bucknell volleyball team was unable to come away with the victory, falling to Air Force 3-0 in the final match of the Air Force Invitational on Saturday evening. With the loss, the Bison fall to 1-2 on the year, while the Falcons improve to 2-1.
In game one, Bucknell jumped out in front, 2-0, and managed to pull ahead, 15-8, after a 7-0 run that included three service aces by freshman Heidi Kamp (Springfield, Ore./Henry D. Sheldon). The Bison led 26-20, but Air Force notched the next six points to pull even. Bucknell remained in front at 28-27. However, the Falcons went on a 3-0 run to take the opener, 30-28.
Air Force stole another 30-28 decision from the Bison in game two. After the Falcons tallied the opening point, Bucknell went up 2-1 and led by as many as six at 21-15. With a 28-23 lead, the Orange and Blue appeared on the verge of tying the match score, but Air Force went on a 7-0 run to take the game and a 2-0 lead in the match.
Bucknell began game three with a 5-1 run, headed up by Henderson's 1,000th career kill which was the first point of the frame. Once again, the lead was eventually erased by the Falcons, who managed to first overtake the Bison at 12-11. With the score tied at 21, Air Force outscored Bucknell 9-5 the rest of the way to clinch the game, 30-26.
Henderson finished the match with a team-best 13 kills for the Orange and Blue, while Kamp tallied eight, along with four service aces. Junior Emilie Hardinge (Darien Conn./Darien), sophomore Jennifer Rupp (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa) and sophomore Allison Gittings (Dayton, Md./Glenelg) contributed totals of 12, 11 and eight digs, respectively.
Junior setter Shannon Pitsch (Oak Brook, Ill./Fenwick) registered 28 assists and was named to the all-tournament team after averaging 10.44 assists per game and 0.44 service aces per game over three matches.
For the Falcons, Jasamine Pettie and Caroline Kurtz led the way with 10 kills apiece. Katie Batchelder added three service aces and a match-best 18 digs, Morgan Dolan had 10 digs and Kim Kallabis compiled 33 assists.
"It was a tough match," said Bucknell assistant coach Anna Allison. "We hung with them, but couldn't finish. It was not our best offensive effort. We great had moments, yet we also had moments that showed how young we are and how much we need to work on. The key will be to learn from those experiences and mature as the season progresses."
The Bison will return to action next Friday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m. against Robert Morris in the Robert Morris/Duquesne Tournament.
