Bucknell University
11-5,4-3Patriot
Army
10-7,6-1Patriot
Volleyball Falls Short in 3-1 Loss at Army West Point
10/7/2022 10:02:00 PM | Volleyball
WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Bucknell volleyball team battled back from a number of late deficits and avoided a 3-0 sweep after falling behind 2-0 for a fourth consecutive match, but the Bison ultimately lost 3-1 to the Army Black Knights at Gillis Field House Friday evening. It was a gritty performance as Bucknell (11-5, 4-3 PL) erased a 9-point deficit to take a lead in the second and used a 4-1 run late in the third to force a fourth set with Army (10-7, 6-1 PL).
Bucknell put together a solid defensive effort at the net, recording 11 total blocks for a second straight match. Leading the effort was Valentina Feigl, who recorded a career-high eight total blocks with seven block assists and one block solo. Bri Frazilus led the team in kills with 15, and Catherine Jamison was in double figures as well with 13 kills to go along with three block assists.
Three Black Knights ended up with double-digit kills, including a match-high 17 by junior Allanah Cutler, who also maintained a .314 hitting percentage.
Bucknell hit .324 in the fourth set but was at just .174 for the match while Army hit .189 overall.
As was the case in three of the four sets, Bucknell jumped out to an early 3-1 lead in the first frame. It was hampered by three service errors, however, and Army used a 5-0 run to take a 6-3 lead. The lead changed three times in the opening set by the time Army took command for good at 16-15. The Bison were able to add just three more points before falling 25-18.
It looked as though Army would cruise to an easy win in set two after it opened with a 6-0 run and eventually stretched the lead to 10-1, but Bucknell fought its way back late and held set-point at 25-24. Trailing 23-14, the Bison went on an impressive 11-1 run to force an Army timeout as they were just one point away from evening the match at 1-1. Army responded with three straight points to win the set 27-25.
Carrying momentum from its near-comeback in the second, Bucknell jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the third. The teams went back and forth, as the third set featured eight lead changes and 12 tie scores. Army led 24-23 down the stretch, but this time it was the Bison who used a 4-1 final run to extend the match with a 27-25 win.
Not finished yet! We're headed to set 4. @ESPN | @PatriotLeagueTV
— Bucknell Volleyball (@Bucknell_VB) October 8, 2022
Watch: https://t.co/hkNMyzNANw pic.twitter.com/4MbyaMisx6
The Bison led 8-5 early in the fourth, but the Black Knights eventually took the lead at 13-12 and never looked back. A late 4-1 run got Bucknell within three of tying at 24-21 before Army secured the win.
Caleigh O'Connell led all Bison with 33 assists while registering four block assists, four kills and five digs in an all-around strong performance. Jordan Hardy led the team in digs with 18.
Bucknell returns to Davis Gym on Sunday, Oct. 9 to host the Navy Midshipmen at 2 p.m.
