Sept. 21, 2012

(6-8), (0-1) 1 2 3 4 5 F Bucknell 21 31 17 17 0 1 Lafayette 25 29 25 25 0 3 Box Score (PDF) (8-4), (1-0)

EASTON, Pa.- The Lafayette volleyball team opened Patriot League play with a 3-1 victory over Bucknell on Friday evening. After a marathon second set that ended with the Leopards on the losing end of a 31-29 battle, Lafayette rallied and finished the Bison off in dominating fashion, taking the final two sets by 25-17 scores.

Junior Karissa Ciliento tallied a season-high 20 kills and added 23 digs for her first double-double of the season. Freshman Brianne Giangiobbe also eclipsed double figures offensively with 10 kills on the night.

Senior Sarah Frohnapfel joined Ciliento in the double-double column, as she recorded 44 assists and 13 digs. Sophomore Katy Rooney recorded a season-high seven blocks at the net, while sophomore Danielle Towslee spun in four service aces.

"I thought we did a lot of wonderful things on the court from blocking, to our service game, to finishing points," head coach Terri Dadio Campbell said. "Karissa had a fantastic night at the net, leading us to an overall great win. To beat Bucknell in our first Patriot League home match is a great way to start the Patriot League season."

After a 9-9 back-and-forth open to the first set, a kill from senior Kaitlynn Zoller sparked the Leopards to create some space as they pulled out to a 20-13 lead. The Bison pulled within five at 23-18, but a Zoller kill and ace sealed the deal as Lafayette took the first, 25-21.

Towslee's kill midway through the second set lit a fire under the Leopards as they stretched a 11-8 lead to 17-10 on a 6-2 run. However, the Bison fought back as a service ace from Kat Tauscher tied the set at 20 apiece. The second went deep into extra points as kills from Bucknell's Hannah Young and Kristen Titley finally finished off the set for the Bison, 31-29.

The marathon second only motivated the Leopards more in the third and fourth. The Bison got out to the quick start this time in the third as they lead 12-9 after 21 points. Ciliento had other though, as her kill shifted the momentum and sent Lafayette on a 7-1 run. An unreturnable ace from Towslee finished off Bucknell in the third, as the Leopards took it, 25-17.

Ciliento's kill on the 31^st point in the fourth set seemed to take the wind out of Bucknell's sails as it gave Lafayette the 20-10 lead. Having to win just five of the next 12 points, the Leopards cruised to the fourth-set victory, 25-17.

Lafayette continues its league-opening weekend with a match-up against Colgate tomorrow afternoon inside Kirby Sports Center at 2 p.m.