Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Coppin State
Opalski Gets 300th Win in Bucknell Volleyball's 3-1 Decision Over Coppin State
9/16/2011 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 16, 2011
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LEWISBURG, Pa. - Cindy Opalski got her 300th victory as Bucknell's head coach as the Bison defeated Coppin State 3-1 in the Bucknell Invitational at Davis Gym on Friday night. Already the winningest coach in program history, Opalski reached the milestone thanks to her team's 25-20, 23-25, 25-20, 25-23 decision. Bucknell is now 3-4 on the season with each of their wins coming in no less than four sets.
With the win, Opalski is now 300-314 in her 22nd year at Bucknell. She is the only coach in program history with more than 100 victories.
Headlining activity on the court was Kebah Edoho (Odenton, Md./Arundel), who tallied a career-best 12 kills to lead all players. The junior was also the most efficient attacker for the Bison, as she finished the match with a .458 (12-1-24) hitting percentage. It was the second consecutive match in which Edoho has recorded double-digit kills and set a personal record.
Bucknell benefited from extending its points against Coppin State (3-10). Back-and-forth play in the opening set eventually went in favor of the Bison, but the Eagles kept points short in the second frame. Unable to maintain the flow and momentum of play, Bucknell couldn't keep Coppin State from tying the match at one set apiece.
For the third straight match, and the fourth time in seven matches, Bucknell was forced to play extra sets. After Friday's victory, the Bison are now 3-1 this fall in contests that go four or more sets.
Although Bucknell never truly looked to be in trouble, Coppin State put together several runs to keep the action interesting. Fighting for the lead in the third set, the Eagles went on a 7-0 run to completely erase the Bison's lead at 14-14. Edoho kept Bucknell in control, ending the run with a kill and teaming with Kat Tauscher (Washington, D.C./National Cathedral School) for a block assist that put their team in front 16-14.
Bucknell led the rest of the match, although the Eagles again made it close late in the fourth set. A service error gave the Bison match point, but Coppin State fought off the end on the next four points. A pair of aces from Kristine Bindule and two blocks from the Eagles brought them to within a point at 24-23. Tauscher finally capped off the win with a kill that propelled the Bison to their second consecutive win.
Joining Edoho with double-digit kills was Jessica Serrato (Millbrae, Calif./St. Ignatius College Prep) with 10. Tauscher tallied 34 assists, while Morgan Markarian (Los Angeles, Calif./Marymount) added 20 digs. Edoho and Anne Ellenberger (Phoenix, Ariz./Horizon Honors) both tallied three blocks each.
Janka Schmitt led Coppin State with 11 kills, and Bindule put up 35 assists and five aces.
In the first match of the tournament, Bowling Green defeated Stony Brook in straight sets. Play continues for the Bison tomorrow at 12 p.m. in a matchup with Stony Brook, a team that defeated them 3-0 at last weekend's Blue Devil Invitational. Bucknell and Bowling Green will then square off at 5 p.m.
