Bucknell University Athletics
Volleyball Ready for Two Patriot League Showdowns
10/4/2013 11:47:00 AM | Volleyball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell volleyball team will look to turn last weekend's moments of brilliance into its first two Patriot League wins of the season this weekend, as the Bison welcome Lehigh to Davis Gym on Saturday evening at 5 p.m. before traveling to Lafayette for a 2 p.m. contest on Sunday afternoon. Both matches will be webcast live on the Patriot League Network, with Bison Vision covering the action in Davis Gym and the Lafayette Sports Network broadcasting from the Kirby Sports Center.
Bucknell enters the weekend with a 6-7 overall record and a 0-4 mark in the Patriot League, as the Bison have fallen in their first four conference match-ups. The squad made its opponents work for every point last weekend, loosing each set by the slimmest of margins, but ultimately dropped 3-0 decisions to both Navy and American. Bucknell had a strong tournament season earlier in the fall however, and will look to bring that success into conference play this weekend.
Freshman Erika Eastley has exhibited both offensive and defensive prowess during her rookie campaign, and the middle blocker is currently ranked first in the league and 29th in the country with 1.35 blocks per set. Additionally, she leads the team in hitting percentage, averaging .335, and is the second Bison to reach the 100 kills mark this season. Senior Morgan Mientus is the current team leader in kills with 106, while sophomore Karen Campbell is hitting .283 and has contributed 47 blocks. Libero Katie Price has anchored the team's defense, averaging 4.20 digs per set, but Mientus has also done her share of the work and has contributed 140 digs for Bucknell. As a team, the Bison rank second in the league with 2.41 blocks per set.
Saturday marks the 66th time that the Bison and the Mountain Hawks have met, with Lehigh holding a 39-26 series advantage. The teams split last season, with Bucknell falling 3-1 in Bethlehem and winning 3-2 in Lewisburg. The Mountain Hawks will play reigning Patriot League champion Colgate on Friday night before traveling to Bucknell, but the squad currently sits in third place in the conference with a 12-4 overall record and a 4-1 league mark.
Kaylynn Genemaras leads Lehigh's offense with 154 kills, while Jade Van Streepen has contributed 149 and boasts a .245 hitting percentage. Amy Matula, is averaging 8.80 assists per set, while Rachel Charles is both an offensive and defensive threat, ranking second in the Patriot League with .47 aces per set and third in the conference with 203 digs. As a team, the Mountain Hawks have compiled impressive offensive statistics, ranking third in the country with 2.00 aces per set and second in the league with 13.45 kills per set.
Bucknell and Lafayette will meet for the 58th time on Sunday, and the Bison hold a 35-22 series advantage over the Leopards. Each team walked away with a victory last season, as Bucknell fell 3-1 in Easton before earning a 3-2 win in Lewisburg. Lafayette will visit NJIT for a non-league contest on Friday night, but the team currently holds an 8-6 overall record and an 0-4 mark in the Patriot League, having dropped decisions to Lehigh, Navy, American and Loyola.
Karissa Ciliento is one of the Leopards' top offensive threats, averaging 3.09 kills per set and hitting .204 this season. Brianne Giangiobbe has contributed 104 kills, while Samantha Volk leads the team with 284 assists and a league-high .47 service aces per set. Defensively, Lauren Pisauro has notched 159 digs, while Katy Rooney is averaging .87 blocks per set. As a team, Lafayette boasts a strong serving game, ranking second in the league and 29th in the country with 1.65 aces per set.
The Bison will play just one match next weekend, welcoming the Loyola Greyhounds to Davis Gym on Friday, Oct. 11 for the first Patriot League contest between the two teams.
