Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
13-9, 2-8PL
Lehigh
12-11, 5-4PL
Volleyball Downed by Mountain Hawks
10/26/2019 6:26:00 PM | Volleyball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Bucknell volleyball battled Lehigh for a second time this season, falling 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-23) in Bethlehem, Pa. With the loss, the Bison go to 13-9 on the season and 2-8 in Patriot League Play.
Bucknell trailed by as many as eight points early in the first set, but a Kelsey O'Loughlin kill sparked an 11-3 run and the Bison pulled within two at 19-17. The comeback would fall short as the Mountain Hawks went on to score six of the next nine points and win the first set.
Bucknell found itself trailing again in the second set, but a 4-0 run gave the Bison their first lead of the match. After Lehigh was forced to take a timeout, the Mountain Hawks reciprocated with a 5-0 run of their own. Again, Lehigh outscored the Bison down the stretch to win the second set, 25-19.
The Bison hung close to Lehigh in the third set, never letting the deficit grow beyond four. Five times Bucknell was able to string together back-to-back points, but was never able to overtake the lead. Facing match point at 24-21, Bucknell cut the deficit to just one, but the Mountain Hawks ended the match with a Sabrina Lancaster kill to improve to 5-4 in the Patriot League.
Senior Sophie Bullard led all Bison with 11 kills and 12 digs, notching a double-double for a 10th time this season. Mimi Richards had seven kills and six total blocks. O'Loughlin posted her 16th match with at least 30 assists and added 10 digs as well.
Bucknell returns home for matches against American and Loyola next weekend. Friday's match against the Eagles is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Patriot League Network.
