Bucknell University
5-10,1-5Patriot
American
8-8,2-2Patriot
Bison Volleyball Falls in Hard-Fought Match vs. American
10/2/2021 6:21:00 PM | Volleyball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell volleyball team wrapped up its weekend with a 3-0 loss to American at Davis Gym on Saturday. The Bison stayed right on the heels of the Eagles throughout the match and nearly grabbed wins in the first two sets, but American pulled out the victory to even its record at 8-8 (2-2 PL) while Bucknell moved to 5-10 (1-5 PL).
Sophomore Catherine Jamison paced the Bison in kills (12) for a second straight match and posted a .429 hitting percentage, leading a .270 team effort. Lisa Zoch was second with nine kills, and Libby Nieporte finished with eight and a .368 hitting percentage. Setter Sarah Ramirez added a match-high 37 assists, and Valentina Feigl had five block assists.
American had three players hit better than .500, and the Eagles as a team hit .323. The match saw a combined 18 service errors and 13 service aces.
Both squads hit better than .330 in the first set, which was tight until the end when American scored back-to-back to win 27-25. Set one featured six lead changes, and three consecutive points by the Eagles early on was the longest run either team could muster. Bucknell led 22-21 before back-to-back attack errors forced a Bison timeout. The two teams traded points and sat tied at 25-25, but a Putney kill and another Bucknell error gave American a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second set was almost as close as the first, and Bucknell held the edge in hitting percentage with a .343. American opened the second on a 5-1 run and maintained the lead until the Bison tied things up at 9-9 with their own 3-0 run. The Eagles responded with a 5-0 straight, but Bucknell continued to battle and tied the set again at 19-19. Bucknell stayed within two the rest of the way before eventually falling 25-23.
In the third, it was Bucknell that opened the set with a 4-0 lead. The Bison led until American used a 5-0 run to take the lead at 7-6. Bucknell would tie it just once more before American began to pull away and sealed the match with a 25-16 win in the final frame.
Bucknell stays at home for two more matches next weekend. Loyola (Md.) visits Davis Gym on Saturday, Oct. 9, and Colgate comes to town on Sunday, Oct. 10. Both matches are scheduled to be shown on ESPN+.
