Oct. 19, 2007
Box Score
EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette women's volleyball team (11-13, 3-5) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead over Patriot League opponent Bucknell and then held off an attempted Bison comeback to secure a 3-2 win on Friday night in Easton, Pa. The win was the Leopards' third conference victory of the season and snapped their brief two match losing streak.
Senior Michaela Donohue recorded a double-double against Bucknell with 15 kills and 20 digs. Freshman Katrina Racibarskas led the Leopards with 16 kills, while sophomore Cara Mulholland added 15. Junior Megan Carter tied for the match-high in assists with 40 and sophomore Kari Horn finished with a match-best 26 digs.
The first game was a battle for both teams as they exchanged leads throughout. Lafayette jumped out to a 3-1 lead but Bucknell refused to give in. The game was tied at nine after a kill from Racibarskas and the score remained close as the teams found themselves tied at 20 before Lafayette went ahead for good after an attacking error by Tessa Mendez. Racibarskas had nine of her 16 kills in the eventual 30-24 Lafayette win.
Like the first game, the second game saw several lead changes in what was an eventual 30-27 Lafayette win. Bucknell held as much as a six point lead at 18-12 but Lafayette pulled within one at 18-17 and tied the match at 21 after a kill from Donohue. The Leopards went ahead permanently at 24-23 after another Bucknell error and held on for the win.
Bucknell took the third game, 30-27, preventing Lafayette from closing out the win. Despite five kills from Mulholland, the Leopards couldn't come back after falling behind early. While Lafayette did manage to tie the score, unlike in the second game they could not come fully back as the Bison held on for the win.
Lafayette struggled a bit more in the fourth game. An early 3-2 lead was the only time the Leopards would hold an advantage in the game as Bucknell won 30-25. Freshman Kayly Elmer led the team with four kills in that game while Donohue added 10 digs, but Bucknell forced the match to go to a decisive fifth game.
The Leopards dominated play in the final game, winning by a score of 15-9. Lafayette jumped out to a 1-0 lead and never trailed in the game. A kill by Donohue brought the score to 14-9 and Bucknell lost the game and the match after a bad set by Emilie Hardinge, handing Lafayette the victory.
The Leopards continue Patriot League play tomorrow when they host Colgate at 4 p.m.
