Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Holy Cross
Bucknell Volleyball Sweeps Holy Cross, 3-0
10/4/2008 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 4, 2008
WORCESTER, Mass. - The Bucknell volleyball team staged a balanced attack against Holy Cross on Saturday afternoon as it defeated the Crusaders 3-0. Sophomore Kaitlin Segal contributed 14 kills to the cause, while sophomore Heidi Kamp, freshman Kyleigh McAhren and senior Liz Hazuka combined for 21 more.
After disappointing play on Friday at Army, Bucknell (7-11, 2-2) got off to a quick start in the first set against Holy Cross (1-15, 0-4). The Bison ran to an early 8-2 lead behind four consecutive kills from McAhren, Kamp, Hazuka and freshman Anne Ellenberger. That six-point advantage began to disappear, however, as Bucknell committed a series of errors and the Crusader blockers tried to form a wall at net. With the lead whittled to one, the Orange and Blue called a timeout. Segal kept Bucknell in front for a few more points, but Bison service errors struck again and Holy Cross tied the set at 11 apiece.
Bucknell's front line attack was strong, but Holy Cross matched it swing for swing. Despite two kills each from Segal, Hazuka and McAhren, and one apiece from Kamp and Ellenberger over 11 plays, the Crusaders still had a 19-18 lead. A well-placed timeout at 21 apiece allowed Bucknell to make the final push, and the Bison pulled ahead for the first time since 11-10. Segal ended the set emphatically with back-to-back kills, giving the Bison the 25-22 win.
Holy Cross continued to falter into the second set as the Bison again took an early lead. Bucknell never relinquished the advantage the second time around and won the set 25-18. The Orange and Blue extended the lead to eight behind kills from Segal and freshman Taylor Willis, then went up by 10 on a McAhren kill. Junior Allison Gittings was credited with the assist on each of those scores. After registering the first kill of the set, Kamp posted the final kill as well, her fourth of the day.
Down two sets to none, the Crusaders tried to make a comeback in the third. Holy Cross stayed neck-and-neck with Bucknell, but Kamp, Segal and McAhren made sure the home team didn't get too far ahead. The trio posted all of the Bison's kills - 12 total - until Gittings broke the streak at 22-11.
An attack error by the Crusaders at 6-5 gave Bucknell the opening it needed, and the Bison carried the lead to the finish. Freshman Katie Baumgarten's lone kill of the day gave Bucknell match point, and Gittings closed the door with her second kill, 25-16.
Capping off another strong outing for Segal were seven digs and one block assist for the Californian. She also hit .333, which was bested only by McAhren's .357. Kamp also had one block and two service aces.
Senior Shannon Pitsch tallied 28 assists on her way to helping the Bison record a total of 41 kills compared to the Crusaders' 19. Gittings added five assists to her two kills.
Head coach Cindy Opalski was pleased with the way her team rebounded from its loss to Army earlier in the week. The squad's ability to control points under the guidance of its seniors proved to be one of the key factors in today's victory.
"We have a young team and sometimes that young team comes in unfocused," said Opalski. "That's when the upper classmen have to come into play as leaders, and that is exactly what happened in the Holy Cross match. When we were able to control the points, we played really well."
The Bison are back in action on Friday, Oct. 10 when they take on Colgate in their only Patriot League match of the week. The 6 p.m. match in Davis Gym will also be available live on Bison Vision and Gametracker. Bucknell then hits the road for a pair of west-coast matchups against Cal State Fullerton at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5 and Cal State Bakersfield at 10 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6.
