Bucknell University
Lafayette
Bucknell Volleyball Stays in Postseason Hunt with 3-0 Win Over Lafayette
11/6/2010 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 6, 2010
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell volleyball snapped a three-match losing streak in decisive fashion, defeating Lafayette in straight sets (25-22, 25-19, 25-14) at Davis Gym on Saturday night. The Bison received contributions all the way down the line as 17 players saw action, and veteran Rachel Rodriguez (Sagamore Hills, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) posted some strong all-around numbers with 16 assists and 13 digs.
Ten Bison finished with two or more kills, including Kebah Edoho (Odenton, Md./Arundel), who tied a career high with six, and Kyleigh McAhren (Napa, Calif./Justin-Siena) with six as well. Kat Tauscher (Washington, D.C./National Cathedral School) and Hannah Young (McConnellsburg, Pa./Broadfording Christian Academy (Md.)) each recorded career-high numbers with two kills apiece.
Young's were the first of her career and came at a key moment during the second set. After Bucknell (9-15, 7-5) bolted out of the gates with six straight points to open play, Lafayette (4-22, 0-12) did its best to put together a comeback. The Leopards eventually drew within three at 10-7 before threatening again at 20-15. Young helped to put some more distance between the Bison and their opponents with back-to-back kills, giving Bucknell a set point. Fellow freshman Kristen Titley (Coral Gables, Fla./Palmer Trinity School) sealed the deal with her third kill of the frame, putting Bucknell up by two sets with a 25-19 score.
Bucknell continued its theme of winning with its youth in the third set, although it was junior Katie Baumgarten (South Pasadena, Calif./South Pasadena) that got the Bison going in the first few rallies. Baumgarten opened play with two straight kills and followed with an ace for 4-0. Ragin Jackson (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) got in on the action with back-to-back kills of her own, capping off an 8-1 Bucknell run.
Lafayette never fully recovered from the early deficit. Edoho registered her final kill of the day for 19-11 and forced the Leopards into a timeout. The stoppage gave Lafayette a bit of boost, but that did not last long. Jackson regained control for Bucknell with a kill, and Rose Lewis (Santa Barbara, Calif./Santa Barbara), making her first career appearance in the Orange and Blue, served out the match. Lewis' service ace gave Bucknell match point, and Baumgarten ended the set the way she started - with a kill.
Although the first two sets ended comfortably with the Bison having been in front through play, the Leopards made their biggest push for an upset in the first frame. Lafayette stayed close thanks in part to Bucknell's serving difficulties.
A serving miscue from the Bison gave the Leopards a look at 10-8, but the home team recovered quickly with a 7-1 run. Edoho tallied three kills in that stretch, and the Bison were on their way to a double-digit advantage. Lafayette hung around, however, and kept Bucknell at one-and-done from the service line. The Leopards took nine of the last 12 points, but it proved to be too little, too late. The Bison stole the one-set lead with a 25-22 decision.
Bucknell eventually straightened out its serving woes. After recording eight errors from behind the line in the first set, the Bison committed just one in the final two frames. They also finished with nine aces, including two apiece from Baumgarten and Leylin Marroquin (Lone Tree, Colo./Highlands Ranch).
Marroquin also had a hand in Bucknell's defensive effort, tying Rodriguez for the team high in digs with 13.
Lafayette was led offensively by Katrina Racibarskas' nine kills. Molly Belcher finished with 19 assists as the Leopards hit just .099 on the night, compared to .239 for the Bison.
Bucknell's win over Lafayette kept its postseason hopes alive. The Bison are now fourth in the Patriot League standings with one berth remaining in the league's tournament and, they lead Lehigh (12-12, 6-6) by a game. American, Army and Colgate have already punched their tickets for the postseason.
Bucknell will be back at home for the final weekend of the regular season, starting with a 7 p.m. matchup on Nov. 12 against Holy Cross. The Bison will celebrate Senior Night prior to the match.
