EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette was dealt a conference loss on Sunday by Bucknell at Kirby Sports Center. The Bison recorded wins in the first, second and fourth set to secure the final.

After nine points in the first period, Lafayette trailed 5-4. Bucknell used a run of eight consecutive points to increase its advantage to 13-4 before later taking the set 25-13. Rookie Jada Aksu continued her hot streak, collecting three of her 12 kills in set one. Setters Mackenzie Calhoun and Sophia Wilson recorded four assists each. Calhoun concluded the afternoon with 20 assists, while Wilson tallied 13. 

Tijana Kostic and Kaitlyn Taylor knocked down kills to begin the second set (2-0). Mbeche-Odhiambo started a short rally for the Leopards with a kill of her own, allowing the Maroon and White three of the next four points for a 3-3 tie. The visitors captured 11 of the next 15 points, gaining a 14-6 advantage. Another kill courtesy of Aksu began a run for the Leopards. The Maroon and White secured nine points over the following 12. to cut the deficit to 17-15. Four points later, Bella Rodriguez tallied two points via kill and a service ace for a 23-16 lead. Another Kostic kill and an attack error cemented the 25-18 second set final. The Bisons' scoring in the set came in three-point spurts, with five total in the set.

The third set started favorably for the Leopards, who jumped out to an early 11-9 lead. The Bison knotted up things at 14 apiece shortly after, with Rodriguez tallying three consecutive points. Eight of the next 11 points contributing to a 21-17 Lafayette lead, five of which came via attack errors. Feczko, Mbeche-Odhiambo, Destiny McKenzie and Carol Ulichney all recorded kills down the stretch. Ulichney's kill granted the Leopards a 25-22 set win. 

The visitors found themselves behind in the fourth set after 30 points. The Maroon and White held a 16-14 lead before an eight-point run for Bucknell flipped the lead. With a 22-18 advantage, the Bison wrapped up the match with kills from Klea Tarja and Caleigh O'Connell.

Lafayette next travels to Hamilton, N.Y. on Friday for a 7 p.m. matchup with Colgate.



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