Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Army
Bucknell Volleyball Falls in Tight Match With Army, 3-0
11/8/2008 7:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 8, 2008
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell volleyball team put up a fight on Saturday night as it took on Army in Davis Gym. Despite the solid all-around team effort, including a squad-best 10 kills from sophomore Kaitlin Segal, the Bison (11-17, 6-6) fell to the Black Knights (24-3, 11-1), 3-0.
Army struck first in the match, registering a kill to open scoring in the first set. Bucknell then took advantage of back-to-back errors by the Black Knights and went ahead 3-1. The visiting team kept a strong hold on the set, however, never allowing momentum to completely slip away. Army received several points from its front line attackers and earned the lead for good 14 points in.
The Orange and Blue were still able to stay close with contributions from a number of players. Eight Bison tallied kills and five more added multiple digs in the set. Bucknell called a timeout down 14-9 and freshman Taylor Willis reopened play with her lone kill on the night, reducing the lead to six. Classmate Katie Baumgarten's kill a few points later brought the score to 16-12. The Bison were never able to get any closer than four points, however, and eventually dropped the first set 25-21.
Bucknell again took a brief but early lead in the second set following a service ace by freshman Kyleigh McAhren. The Bison began committing a series of attack errors and soon found themselves trailing. They stayed within striking distance, coming to within two at 20-18 after a block assist from Willis and sophomore Heidi Kamp and an Army attack error. The Black Knights put their game back together on the next point and began to pull away. Segal delayed the Army win with a kill down set point, but the home team lost ultimately 25-21.
Unlike the previous two sets, Bucknell earned the first point of the third set. Senior Liz Hazuka registered a kill off an assist by classmate Sheena Czipri at 1-0. The Bison advanced the score to 2-1 following another Hazuka kill, this time assisted by senior Shannon Pitsch. The two teams traded points over several plays. Not until a block by Army at 10-8 did either team extend its lead to more than one point.
Army went on a bit of a run in the middle of the third, which was eventually slowed by kills from Kamp and freshman Anne Ellenberger. Ellenberger teamed with Willis for a block, trailing 16-13, and Pitsch followed with a service ace. Army committed an attack error on the next point, and the Black Knights' advantage had been whittled down to one. Segal then tied the set a few points later at 17 apiece with her lone service ace on the night. Bucknell was unable to pull ahead, and Kamp made a last-minute effort with her ninth and final kill of the match at 23-20, but Army proved to be too much. The Black Knights finished the set with two consecutive kills and earned the final victory, 25-20.
Although Bucknell ended on the losing side of the scoreboard, head coach Cindy Opalski was encouraged by the direction in which her team is headed. The Bison have been playing some of their best volleyball in recent matches, improving their chances to qualify to the Patriot League Tournament later this month.
“I'm really excited about the way we're playing right now,” said Opalski. “Even though we're making some physical errors, we have the right mental attitude, talent and perseverance to play for a championship. Army is an excellent senior-laden team, but we're a determined, young team that's on the upswing.”
In addition to the 19 combined kills from Segal and Kamp, the Bison also benefited from five kills each from Hazuka and McAhren. Czipri led in the digs category for Bucknell with 12. Willis followed up her career-high five kills in Friday's win over Holy Cross with a career-best four (1-3) total blocks tonight.
Army finished the night with three players with double-digit kills in Briana Stremick (15 kills), Elizabeth Lazzari (14) and Jamie Clark (10). Maureen Bannon also posted a double-double with 38 assists and 13 digs.
Bucknell remains in the top half of the Patriot League standings. The top four teams advance to the league tournament. With American and Army already having qualified, the Orange and Blue are in a tight battle for one of the remaining two positions.
The Bison wrap up their season next weekend when they face off against Lehigh at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14. The team then hosts Lafayette at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, which is also Senior Night. Both matches are in Davis Gym, and live stats will be available on GameTracker through BucknellBison.com.
