Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Cal State Fullerton
Bucknell Volleyball Falls in Fullerton, 3-0
10/12/2008 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 12, 2008
FULLERTON, Calif. - What should have been a pleasant homecoming for four Bucknell volleyball players was spoiled by Cal State Fullerton as the West Coast team swept the Bison, 3-0, on Sunday in Fullerton Gym. Sophomore Kaitlin Segal and freshmen Katie Baumgarten and Kyleigh McAhren led the Bison, and the team's Californians, with a combined 12 kills. Sophomore Heidi Kamp also had four kills on the evening.
The Bison (8-12) struggled with errors throughout the match, including in the first set. The Orange and Blue never got off the ground in the first. After scoring the first point of the match on a kill by Segal, Bucknell gave up the next 10 points to the Titans (10-10), four of which were on Bison errors. Baumgarten's first kill of the match stopped the skid and gave Bucknell its second point.
Eventually down 12, the Bison found some fight and took five of six points at the end of the opening set. A kill by Baumgarten made the score 23-13, but it proved to be too little, too late as Bucknell dropped the first, 25-13.
The Bison opened the second set with an altered lineup, including freshman Lindsay Regruto at libero, and were determined to turn around their fortunes. Segal earned an early kill to tie the set 1-1. The Orange and Blue pulled ahead for its first lead of the evening when a Titans error made the score 2-1.
Bucknell struggled to take control of play, however, and Cal State Fullerton continued to even the score each time Bucknell tried to make some headway. McAhren posted a kill at 3-2, followed a few points later by a kill from freshman Anne Ellenberger to tie it 4-4. Segal's fourth kill of the night tied the score at 7 apiece, the closest the Bison came during the set. The scoreboard showed 15-10 with the advantage to the Titans after a cross-court kill by senior Liz Hazuka, but errors began to creep back into Bucknell's game. The Titans closed the set at 25-17.
Cal State Fullerton continued to make runs on its serve in the third set as the Titans got off to a quick 4-0 lead. Kamp kept the Bison within reach at 6-3 after the middle blocker recorded her second of four kills in the match. With sophomore Rachel Rodriguez serving, the Titans committed an attack error, and Cal State Fullerton's lead was down to two at 6-4. Baumgarten recorded a kill to make the score 7-5, still in favor of the Titans.
After Bucknell called a timeout down 12-5, Kamp reopened play with an immediate kill. Cal State Fullerton eventually extended its lead to seven but then fell victim to a string of errors themselves, allowing Bucknell to make a final push. Kamp tallied another kill for 17-12, but the Orange and Blue was unable to make a major dent in the Titans' game. Bucknell dropped the final set, 25-18.
Head coach Cindy Opalski was disappointed in her team's play but also recognized that the Bison's opponent brought a lot to the table.
"This trip was designed not only to reconnect with some of our alum but also to come out and play some really competitive teams in the southern California area," said Opalski. "Fullerton is an excellent team and they're on fire right now, especially in their conference. They're doing some great things. Unfortunately, we didn't step up to the challenge tonight, but we're really excited about tomorrow night's match in Bakersfield. We're ready to push ourselves to the next level and use this particular opportunity on the West Coast to get better and compete at a higher level so we can come out next weekend against American and Navy at home."
Junior Allison Gittings and senior Shannon Pitsch combined for 16 assists in the match. The Bison were able to muster just 18 kills against a strong blocking Cal State Fullerton team.
Defensively, Hazuka and Regruto totaled five digs apiece in addition to the five from Segal.
Bucknell returns to the court to close out its West Coast road trip at 10 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 13 when it takes on Cal State Bakersfield in Bakersfield, Calif. Streaming video and live stats will be available on GoRunners.com.
