Bucknell University
7-17,3-12Patriot
Lafayette
14-9,11-4Patriot
Bison Volleyball Drops 3-0 Decision at Lafayette Sunday
11/7/2021 3:56:00 PM | Volleyball
EASTON, Pa. – Bucknell volleyball paid a visit to third-place Lafayette on Sunday and fell 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-11) at Kirby Sports Center. The Leopards hit .296 for the match and saw two players reach double-digit kills while posting nine service aces in the win. The loss gave the Bison a 1-1 record for the weekend after they defeated Lehigh in five sets on Friday.
The Bison were led in kills by sophomore Libby Nieporte (11), and senior Jennie Burke posted six kills and four block assists. Bucknell struggled with 19 attack errors and a .126 hitting percentage for the match. The Leopards were led by Abby Nieporte's 12 kills and held a 6-4 edge in blocks.
Bucknell came back from an early 9-5 deficit in set one to take a lead at 12-11 and was up 15-13 at the midway point of the opening frame. Both teams put together 4-0 runs as the momentum swung from one team to the other, but Bucknell had set point at 24-23. Lafayette ended the first with three consecutive kills and took a 1-0 lead in the match with the 26-24 win.
The Bison jumped out to a 4-3 lead in set two before a 5-0 run by Lafayette put them in an early hole. Bucknell saw a pair of 3-0 runs and pulled within three of tying at one point, but Lafayette never gave the lead back as it went on to win 25-18 and went up 2-0 in sets. Bucknell's .184 hitting percentage in set two was its highest of the contest.
Bucknell was unable to lead during the third and final frame, and Lafayette created separation with a 6-0 run that pushed the lead to 13-4. The Leopards used another big run of 7-0 to gain their largest lead of the match, and the Bison only managed four more points before it was over.
Other notable performances by the Bison included 20 assists from sophomore setter Sarah Ramirez and 12 digs from rookie libero Jordan hardy.
Bucknell concludes its season on Friday, Nov. 12 with a trip to Loyola in Baltimore, Md. They Greyhounds, who sit sixth in the Patriot League standings, won 3-1 at Bucknell earlier in the season. Friday's match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
