Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
1-0
The Citadel
0-1
Volleyball Tops The Citadel, Falls to Youngstown State in Season Debut
8/30/2019 10:36:00 PM | Volleyball
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Bucknell volleyball earned a 3-1 victory over The Citadel Friday evening before falling to Youngstown State during the first night of the Youngstown Invitational. The win over the Bulldogs makes it five consecutive seasons the Bison have opened with a victory.
Bucknell (1-1) will face Saint Francis on Sunday in the team's final match of the weekend. The Red Flash lost its lone Friday contest to Youngstown State in four sets. Saturday's match is set for 12:30 p.m.
Bucknell 3, The Citadel 1 (25-15, 16-25, 25-16, 26-24)
Tied at 24 apiece in the fourth set, the Bison willed their way past the Bulldogs in what was the closest frame of the season-opening tournament. With each of the other three sets decided by at least nine points, the fourth and final came down to a Mimi Richards block, then kill to top The Citadel 26-24. Richards led the Bison in both categories, recording 12 kills and eight blocks.
Richards was followed closely by fellow senior Bridgette Holland's 11 kills, while freshman Kelsey O'Loughlin led the team in assists (33) in her first collegiate volleyball action. O'Loughlin also sported a .429 hitting percentage for the match.
Senior Sophie Bullard led the way in digs with 16, followed closely by Brooke Stark's 13. The Bulldogs were paced by junior Mellanie King's 10 kills.
Youngstown State 3, Bucknell 1 (25-21, 25-20, 18-25, 25-17)
The Bison's second match of the day was a far closer affair than their first, spending each set trading the lead with the Penguins. The Bison managed to come out on top in the third, but couldn't force a fifth against the invitational's host.
Although the Bison dropped the first pair of sets, the two teams sat tied at 17 in each before Youngstown State pulled away.
This time it was junior Anna Carroll leading the way with a career-high 13 kills. O'Loughlin put together another impressive outing on the evening, leading the team in aces (2), assists (40), and digs (12).
