Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Volleyball Hits the Road for American, Navy
10/1/2009 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 1, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell volleyball will get its first road test in Patriot League action as it travels to American and Navy this weekend. The Bison will take on the Eagles at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 in Washington D.C., before heading to Annapolis, Md., for a noon matchup with Navy on Saturday, Oct. 4.
ABOUT THE BISON
- Bucknell split its opening weekend of league action, falling 3-1 to Army last Friday and defeating Holy Cross 3-0 on Saturday. Heidi Kamp (Eugene, Ore./Henry D. Sheldon) and Kaitlin Segal (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Harvard-Westlake) each finished the weekend with 18 kills. By the time Ragin Jackson (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Hendrick-Hudson) went home on Saturday night, the freshman had accumulated 16 kills and 13 total blocks.
- The Bison out-hit their league foes last weekend. After the two matches, Bucknell held the slight advantage 10.7 kills per set to 9.87 kills/set. - Bucknell is making itself known in the Patriot League as the top blocking team. The Bison are averaging 2.0 blocks/set for the year.
- Several Bison rank among the top 10 in the league in several statistical categories, including Jackson who comes into the weekend as the top blocker. With a 1.02 blocks/set average, the middle hitter is the only player in the league to average better than one per set.
- Emily Sawanobori (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills) is trying to get a number-one spot of her own. The sophomore libero currently ranks second in the PL in digs with 4.02/set.
- Other Patriot League leaders:
| Attack Percentage | Aces | |||
| 9. Ragin Jackson | .243 | 3. Emily Sawanobori | 0.45/set | |
| 10. Heidi Kamp | .242 | 6. Kaitlin Segal | 0.35/set | |
| Kills | Assists | |||
| 9. Kaitlin Segal | 2.90/set | 9. Allison Gittings | 5.77/set |
ABOUT THE EAGLES
- American has a dominant 24-1 lead in the all-time series with Bucknell. The Eagles were 0-3 against the Bison last season, including two regular-season matches and a Patriot League Tournament pairing.
- The Eagles are 7-8 overall and 1-1 in the Patriot League this year. They kicked off league play with a 3-0 win over Lafayette to earn their fourth straight victory. The Eagles then fell 3-1 to Lehigh a night later, resulting in just their fourth League loss in program history. Most recently, American took on Morgan State in a non-conference matchup on Tuesday, winning 3-0.
- American was picked first in the Patriot League Preseason Poll for yet another year. The Eagles have won each of the last eight league titles.
- As a team, the Eagles ranked second in the Patriot League in kills after last weekend. Through 14 matches, they averaged 12.4 kills per set.
- Several Eagles occupy the top spot in league statistical categories. Sophomore middle blocker Claire Recht leads in hitting percentage (.340), junior right side hitter Angela Waterman is tops in kills (3.47/set) and freshman setter Krysta Cicala is first in assists (10.0/set).
ABOUT THE MIDSHIPMEN
- The Bison will try to even the all-time series with the Midshipmen this weekend as they trail 17-18. Bucknell took both matches off Navy a year ago to bring them two steps closer to the lead.
- Navy has struggled in the early goings of 2009. The enter the weekend 5-11 overall and 1-1 in the Patriot League after suffering a seven-game losing streak earlier in the season. Most recently, they split decisions with Lehigh (3-1 loss) and Lafayette (3-2 win) last weekend and defeated Coppin State (3-0) on Tuesday. The Mids will take on Colgate Friday night before hosting the Bison.
- The Midshipmen are led offensively by freshman outside hitter Carolyn Ewert with 141 kills (2.71/set). Junior setter Jenny Rudewicz has had a hand in several of those points having posted 434 assists (8.33/set) on the year. Defensively, Navy relies on senior middle blocker Krista Eschelman with 34 blocks (.67/set) and sophomore defensive specialist Holly Berger with 138 digs (2.65/set).
- The Bison faithful traveling to Navy should be aware of some changes in parking and shuttle bus availability. Parents, fans and the general public are not allowed to drive onto the Navy grounds at any time. There will not be a shuttle bus available due to the Midshipmen's football game with Air Force. Fans will have to park downtown and walk to the grounds.
UP NEXT
The Bison will have a light weekend when they return to the court. They will travel to Colgate for a 7 p.m. match on Friday, Oct. 9 in Hamilton, N.Y., and enjoy a bye in league play on the following day.
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