Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
12-6,5-1Patriot
Holy Cross
3-17,0-6Patriot
Volleyball Holds On to Defeat Holy Cross, 3-2
10/12/2019 7:02:00 PM | Volleyball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell volleyball pulled out a five-set victory over Holy Cross on Saturday after the Crusaders had swung momentum in their favor with wins in sets three and four. The Bison kept composure and sealed their second Patriot League victory of the season with the 3-2 (27-25, 25-19, 22-25, 23-25, 15-10) victory.
With the win, the Bison move to 13-5 on the season while Holy Cross goes to 3-16.
"Happy to see our team coming back after a tough match yesterday," said head coach Anna Allison. "It's so important that we stay emotionally engaged during Patriot League play because the matches happen every weekend, and usually you have less than 24 hours between."
The Bison trailed 18-11 in the first set before inching their way back to a tie at 21-21. With nothing decided eight points later at 25-apiece, the Bison had to work extra to pick up the 27-25 win to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
After cruising to a 25-19 win in set two, it looked like the Crusaders might go quietly, but the team came back with four consecutive points at the end of the third to stay alive. The two teams were never separated by more than three points during the fourth set, and each kept its hitting percentage above .300. Tied at 19-19, Holy Cross outscored Bucknell 6-3 to avoid defeat once more.
Now facing a must-win fifth set, the Bison went on a 7-3 run down the stretch and ended the match with a Vittoria Sottani kill.
"We definitely played as one today and I couldn't be prouder of this team," said Allison.
Senior Sophie Bullard recorded a season-high 22 kills in the victory to go along with 13 digs. Also having a standout performance was Anna Carroll, who racked up a season-high 13 kills and two total blocks. Mimi Richards posted a match-high nine blocks at the net, one of which was solo.
The Bison's hitting percentage was bolstered by a .444 outing for Emma Buchanan and a .368 performance by Kelsey O'Loughlin, who had seven kills and 43 assists of her own.
Up next, the Bison travel to Navy for a midweek match on Tuesday, Oct. 15. That matchup is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Patriot League Network.
