Bucknell University
American
Bucknell Volleyball Takes 3-0 Loss to American
10/22/2011 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 22, 2011
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LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell volleyball got off to a hot start but couldn't sustain the momentum, falling in straight sets to American at Davis Gym on Saturday night. The Eagles hit better than .400 for the match to propel them to a 25-21, 25-13, 25-13 decision. Bucknell's record now stands at 6-12 overall and 3-6 in the Patriot League.
Bucknell had its best shot in the first set. After the defending Patriot League champion Eagles pulled ahead by five at 17-12, the Bison earned a 9-2 run that put them right back in the mix. That stretch was capped off by a block from Kebah Edoho (Odenton, Md./Arundel) and Hannah Young (McConnellsburg, Pa./Broadfording Christian Academy (Md.)) that gave Bucknell the 21-19 advantage.
American recovered and powered through to the end, however. Sara Rishell contributed two kills and a block assist, and Juliana Crum added two kills of her own down the final stretch. The Eagles rebounded just as quickly as the Bison had put together a comeback, and the first set went 25-21 to the visiting squad.
At the end of the first set, Kyleigh McAhren (Napa, Calif./Justin-Siena) had five kills, and Kat Tauscher (Washington, D.C./National Cathedral School) had 10 assists. As a team, the Bison hit .235, but those numbers began to drop off as American found its stride and took the wind out of Bucknell's sails.
The Eagles took early leads and were never really threatened in the final two sets. American went up 10-2 in the second frame and 11-3 in the third. The deficits proved too difficult for Bucknell to overcome, particularly as the Eagles' blocking game kept the Bison attack quiet. Bucknell's attack percentage came in at .000 in the second set compared to .593 for American, and that trend continued throughout the remainder of the match. The final percentage came to .026 for the Bison, while the Eagles closed things out at .407.
American totaled nine team blocks on the night, including eight from Rishell. Bucknell's team total came in at five.
McAhren ended up with the team high in kills with seven, and Tauscher finished with 17 assists. Emily Sawanobori (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills) and Anne Ellenberger (Phoenix, Ariz./Horizon Honors) continued to be defensive leaders for the Bison. Sawanobori tallied seen digs, while Ellenberger finished with three blocks.
Rishell and Crum tied for the match high in kills with 10 apiece. Monika Smidova had 20 assists, while Alexandra Hammer added 14.
Bucknell will play its final home match of the season next Saturday when it hosts Colgate. Match time is set for 4 p.m. at Davis Gym.
