Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Navy
Bison Volleyball Ends First Round of League Play with 3-0 Loss to Navy
10/13/2012 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 13, 2012
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LEWISBURG, Pa. - After a strong showing against American on Friday night, Bucknell volleyball could not keep the effort going as it fell in three sets, 25-19, 25-19, 25-18, to Navy at Davis Gym on Saturday. Claire Healy (Tiburon, Calif./Saint Ignatius College Prep) finished with a double-double on 13 kills and 11 digs. The Bison are now 6-16 overall and 0-7 in the Patriot League after the first round of conference action.
"This was not one of our best efforts of the season," said head coach Cindy Opalksi. "We're an extremely young squad overall, but we didn't bring the same energy out here tonight that we brought to the court last night. I'm confident we can regroup in the second half of the season and get back on track."
Healy's 13 kills was a match high and her 11 digs led all Bison. It is the freshman's four double-double of the season, which is also tied for the team lead this fall.
Six of Healy's kills came in the first set, which turned out to be the best statistically for Bucknell. The Bison registered an attack percentage of .276 with 12 kills on 29 attempts. Navy (8-11, 4-3 PL) also had its best set of the night statistically as well, however, hitting .367 with 16 kills on 30 attempts.
Both teams saw their numbers dip in the second set, but Bucknell started as if it would even the match at a set apiece. The Bison had their biggest lead at 10-5. With 10 of the next 13 points going in favor of the Midshipmen, the scoring advantage changed hands and Bucknell never got it back. At the end of the second, Bucknell had hit .026 compared to .122 for Navy.
With a two-set lead, the Mids all but cruised to the finish. Bucknell tied the third set at 13-13, but it was never in the lead. Although Bucknell drew to within 16-15 on a block from Healy and Karen Campbell (Chesapeake, Va./Cape Henry Collegiate), Navy never panicked. Nine of the match's final 12 points went to the Mids, which avoided a third consecutive loss.
Meghan Wentzel (San Anselmo, Calif./The Branson School) recorded a second straight match with Bucknell's high in assists, finishing with 13. Morgan Mientus (Chicago, Ill./Saint Ignatius College Prep) had nine kills and six digs.
Alex Cassel tallied 12 kills for Navy and Erin Fortner joined her in double digits with 10. Alex Karika totaled 38 assists, and Christy Rapp added 15 digs.
Bucknell will try to snap its nine-match losing streak next Friday when it hosts Lehigh at 7 p.m. at Davis Gym. The Mountain Hawks won 3-1 in the teams' first meeting of the year.
