Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
13-8,2-7Patriot
Lafayette
12-12,1-7Patriot
Volleyball Suffers Road Loss to Lafayette, 3-1
10/25/2019 9:23:00 PM | Volleyball
EASTON, Pa. – Bucknell volleyball jumped out to a 1-0 lead in sets against Lafayette Friday evening, but the Leopards came storming back to win three straight and even the season series at 1-1. With the 3-1 (25-19, 25-27, 18-25, 15-25) loss, the Bison fall to 13-8 overall and 2-7 in Patriot League play.
The Bison carried all of the momentum after cruising to a 25-19 win in the first set. The team's only deficit was at 1-0, and they led by as much as eight.
The momentum carried over into the second set as Bucknell climbed to a 17-10 lead, but the Leopards began to claw their way back in. A 14-6 scoring run gave Lafayette a 24-23 lead. Bucknell continued to battle, fighting off a pair of set points before the Leopards managed to win it at 27-25.
The third set was played far more evenly through the first half, with both teams trading points back-and-forth. The score was tied at 12-12, but a 5-1 run by the Leopards put the Bison in a hole. Bucknell would score six more times before Lafayette claimed a 2-1 lead in sets.
Bucknell managed to take a lead early in the fourth, but Lafayette rode the momentum to a 25-15 victory. With the win, the Leopards earned their second Patriot League win of the season. Lafayette was led by Leanna Deagan's 23 kills.
Middle blocker Mimi Richards posted a match-high seven block assists to go along with seven kills. The senior also had a hitting percentage of .278. Leading the Bison in hitting percentage was freshman Kelsey O'Loughlin with a .545. O'Loughlin also tallied six kills and 29 assists. Sophie Bullard recorded a team-high 12 kills, and Brooke Stark surpassed 20 digs for a fifth time this season.
Tomorrow, Bucknell travels to Bethlehem, Pa. for a 4 p.m. matchup with Lehigh. The Mountain Hawks came away with a 3-1 win in Lewisburg earlier in the season.
