Bucknell University
Lafayette
Bucknell Volleyball Holds Off Comeback Bid, Defeats Lafayette in Straight Sets
9/30/2011 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 30, 2011
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Huge plays from Anne Ellenberger (Phoenix, Ariz./Horizon Honors) late in the third set pushed Bucknell to its biggest comeback yet and saved its first straight-sets victory of the season over Lafayette at Davis Gym on Friday night. The Bison (4-8, 1-2 PL) trailed by as many as eight points down the stretch, but a 14-3 run gave them their first match point and ultimately their first Patriot League win this year.
After squandering a 2-0 set lead against Navy last weekend, Bucknell was trying to avoid a case of déjà vu. The Bison took another two sets to none lead against the Leopards (7-8, 0-3 PL) before hitting a snag in the third frame. A 4-0 Bucknell advantage, helped by back-to-back service aces from Jessica Serrato (Millbrae, Calif./St. Ignatius College Prep), quickly turned into an 18-10 disadvantage after Lafayette claimed 18 of the next 25 points.
Just when it looked as if the match would go to a fourth set, Bucknell found its legs again and answered with a run of its own. Thirteen of the next 16 points went in favor of the Bison. Twice during that stretch, Ellenberger recorded some key solo blocks to put Bucknell back in the hunt. The Bison senior finished the night with six total blocks, including three of the solo variety, to lead all players.
Lafayette could only slow Bucknell's progress briefly. A kill from Alexandra Russo saved one match point, but Ellenberger's offense gave the Bison another. Kebah Edoho (Odenton, Md./Arundel), who had started Bucknell's original run with a kill, earned the deciding point on another for the 26-24 decision.
With scores of 25-18, 25-22 and 26-24, the win was Bucknell's first of the season in straight sets. The Bison looked as if they were going to sail through the match after they finally shook free from the Leopards midway through the opening frame. Kyleigh McAhren (Napa, Calif./Justin-Siena) posted a kill for 15 all and kick-started a 10-3 run. Emily Sawanobori (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills) and Morgan Mientus (Chicago, Ill./St. Ignatius College Prep) controlled play with their strong serving during that stretch.
Before Lafayette could stop Bucknell, it was already down by a set and fighting a similar battle in the second. In a closely contested set that saw nine ties, the Leopards took a three-point lead for 21-18. Some controversy that followed a ruling after a play was whistled dead threw Lafayette off its game, and McAhren took advantage. With two kills from the senior late in the action, she and the Bison took the second set on a 7-1 run.
McAhren led all players with 14 kills on the night. Kat Tauscher (Washington, D.C./National Cathedral School) was behind several of those attacks and finished with 31 assists. Sawanobori posted 15 digs and two service aces, while Serrato tallied eight kills and 10 digs.
Camissa Beghou led Lafayette with seven kills, and Molly Belcher had 17 assists as the Leopards struggled on the attack. For the third consecutive match against Bucknell, Lafayette was held to an attack percentage of under .100. Christy Mebust finished with 15 digs.
Bucknell will be back in action tomorrow at 5 p.m. when it hosts Lehigh in Davis Gym.
