Navy Sinks Volleyball in Four Sets

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell (7-11, 4-5 Patriot League) dropped its second game to Navy (8-10, 4-5 Patriot League) in a week, as the Midshipmen rallied for the four set win (25-23, 23-25, 19-25, 17-25) on Saturday afternoon. The Bison won the opening salvo but couldn't maintain the momentum against a streaking Navy squadron.

Navy notched 62 kills for the second straight game against Bucknell. The Bison posted 50 kills on a .206 hitting percentage. Bucknell hit .333 in the first set but plummeted to .175, .167, and .138 in the final three stanzas.

Tijana Kostic regained her double-double status with a game-high 17 kills along with shoveling 14 digs. Riley Tucker was a force in the middle, spiking 12 kills and slamming six blocks.

Caroline Buffum did not play in the first set but still led the Midshipmen with 16 kills. Ava Toppin, the reigning Patriot League Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week, collected eight blocks.

The first set was an evenly-fought affair with ten ties and five lead changes. Neither team could establish a definitive lead. Navy pulled ahead 17-14 and 20-18 before a 5-0 Bucknell run changed the entire dynamic. Bucknell led 24-21 but Navy added two quick points. The set was won when Sidney Shaffer and Klea Tarja teamed up for a block.

The next set followed nearly the same script with ten ties and six lead changes. Bucknell charged ahead 11-7 for the early advantage, and despite several ties, remained ahead 18-15. Navy made its move and steamed in front 23-20. Bucknell cut the deficit to one several times before a Toppin block won the set.

The third stanza was the most competitive with 11 ties and seven lead changes, all of which but one lead change occurred before the score was 15-15. Navy grabbed permanent advantage with a 9-3 run. A Riley Tucker kill merely delayed the inevitable, as Buffum ended the set on the following serve.

Navy trailed 7-6 in the fourth set before a 5-0 run gave the Midshipmen a lead they would never yield. Bucknell squeezed within two points on several occasions, helped by Laura Caro's substitution at setter, but Navy always blunted a possible run. The Mids ended the set and match on a 5-1 stretch.

Bucknell hits the road next weekend to face Loyola (Md.) and American.

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Team Stats

Tijana Kostic

Riley Tucker

Klea Tarja

Sidney Shaffer

Players Mentioned

Laura Caro

Tijana Kostic

Sidney Shaffer

Klea Tarja

Riley Tucker