Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
La Salle
Bucknell Volleyball Wins 3-0 Over La Salle
9/20/2008 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 20, 2008
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Senior Shannon Pitsch broke the career assists record as the Bucknell volleyball team defeated La Salle 3-0 at the Villanova Invitational on Saturday night. With her 28 assists in the match, Pitsch now has 3,099 in her career as a Bison. Pitsch's record-breaking assist came in the first set as she entered the match tied with the previous mark. The senior setter was also named to the all-tournament team for her efforts over the weekend.
The Bison (4-9) came back after an afternoon 3-0 loss to Penn seeking to right the ship against the La Salle Explorers (3-10). Unhappy with earlier results, the Orange and Blue made some changes in an effort to improve its luck.
"We made some adjustments to our starting lineup," said head coach Cindy Opalski. "Our kids responded in a very positive way."
After being tied at eight in the first set, the Bucknell front line came alive. Sophomore Heidi Kamp recorded back-to-back kills and classmate Kaitlin Segal followed with one of her own as the Bison took an 11-8 lead. Bucknell never allowed the Explorers to get back in the match as it took the opening set 25-16.
Although Bucknell earned the second-set win 25-17, La Salle kept the competition close early. The Explorers had a 15-14 lead following a Bucknell error, but the Bison rallied back by running off seven unanswered points. Senior Liz Hazuka continued her strong start from Saturday morning with two consecutive kills, while Pitsch and Kamp each added one kill during the rally. Freshman Emily Sawanobori served for the set and responded with an ace.
La Salle made a final push for victory at the beginning of the third set and put the Bison on the ropes. Despite two kills apiece from Segal and Hazuka as well as one each from Pitsch, Kamp and junior Lindsay Smith, the Explorers forced Bucknell to call a timeout at 16-16. The break served the Orange and Blue well as Hazuka immediately recorded her eighth kill of the evening. A service error by the Bison allowed La Salle another opportunity at 19 apiece, but Segal helped the squad regain the lead with her seventh kill of the match. Sawanobori then took control with her serve and Segal and freshman Kyleigh McAhren helped her close the door and earn a 25-20 win for Bucknell.
McAhren led the Bison with nine kills on the evening, followed by Segal and Hazuka who each had eight. Sawanobori paired her strong service game with her defense, totaling 21 digs. Sophomore Rachel Rodriguez also had 10 digs in the match.
Opalski was pleased with the team's first straight-set victory of the season.
"Good things happened in the last match of the tournament today," said Opalski. "We're starting to come around and we're starting to play and gel as a team. We were pleased with our overall effort, especially in the La Salle match. The first two games we came out on fire and played very well together."
Bucknell returns to the court at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26 at Navy. The match in Annapolis, Md., will be the Bison's first Patriot League matchup of 2008.
