Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Canisius
Bucknell Volleyball Recovers for 3-1 Victory Over Fairleigh Dickinson
9/13/2008 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 13, 2008
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell volleyball team split a pair of matches on the final day of the Bucknell Invitational on Saturday. After falling 3-2 against Canisius (5-2) in the afternoon contest in Davis Gym, the Bison (3-7) came back to take a 3-1 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson (7-5) later that evening. Sophomore Kaitlin Segal was named to the all-tournament team after totaling 29 kills and 27 digs over the weekend.
After stumbling in its five-set match against Saint Francis (Pa.) yesterday, Bucknell opened strong against Canisius. The Bison won the first two sets convincingly by scores of 25-13 and 25-14. Segal, who has been the kills leader for Bucknell the entire season, led with 16. The team's youth on the front line continued to make its presence known, as sophomore Heidi Kamp registered 13 kills and freshman Katie Baumgarten added a career-high 10 kills.
The Bison also received noteworthy defensive performances from a number of players. In addition to 18 digs from Segal, freshman Emily Sawanobori had 17 and senior Sheena Czipri contributed 11.
Despite the individual statistical successes, Bucknell dropped the next three sets to Canisius, 25-15, 26-24 and 15-5.
Bucknell fought back after dropping its first contest and then its first set of the night match 25-19 to Fairleigh Dickinson.
The Bison appeared to have the second set under control as they ran out to an 18-12 lead. The Knights rallied, however, and tied the set at 20 on a service ace. A series of Bison errors and a kill by Fairleigh Dickinson's Megan Philbrick gave the Knights the 24-20 lead late in the set. Despite having a set point and an opportunity to go up two sets, Fairleigh Dickinson lost its grip on the lead. The strength of the Bucknell hitting, including two kills apiece from Segal and freshman Anne Ellenberger, gave the Orange and Blue the opening it needed to storm back and win the second set 26-24.
Set three remained close despite the Bison's continued strong hitting. Kamp recorded four of her eight kills of the match, including three consecutive kills to tie the set at 16. Segal and Baumgarten added three apiece and junior Lindsay Smith had two kills early to help keep the Bison in the set. After being tied at 16, neither team led by more than two until a service ace from freshman Kyleigh McAhren closed the set 25-22.
The fourth set of the evening went in favor of Bucknell by a score of 25-19. Fairleigh Dickinson struggled to get into the final set and never led. McAhren was a dominating presence on the front line for the Bison as she registered six kills, giving her 12 for the match. Her ultimate kill shut the door on the Knights and gave Bucknell its third win of the season.
Assisting Bucknell on a majority of its 56 total kills were junior Allison Gittings with 25 and senior Shannon Pitsch with 18.
"All in all it was another weekend of lessons," said head coach Cindy Opalski. "With our youth, it is important to gain experience. But more importantly, we need to learn from our mishaps and come back stronger."
Joining Segal on the all-tournament team at the conclusion of the invitational were Shirley Miller of Saint Francis (Pa.), Lauren Boothby of Fairleigh Dickinson, Morgan Ammons of Canisius and Eva Grenier-Lesperance and Marie-Pier Murray Methot of Montreal.
The Bison are back in action at the Villanova Invitational on Friday, Sept. 19. Bucknell takes on the host school at 7 p.m. Tournament play continues on Saturday, Sept. 20 against Penn at 10 a.m. and La Salle at4:30 p.m.
