Bucknell volleyball fell to Eastern Illinois in a dramatic comeback, 3-2, at the Bobcat Invitational on Saturday afternoon. The Bison captured the first set 25-19, but EIU fought back to even the match by taking the second 25-18 and the fourth 25-20. The Panthers completed the comeback with a decisive 15-7 win in the deciding fifth set.
Bucknell posted three players with double-digit kills. One Bucknell hitter led the way with 16 kills and added 13 digs, another contributed 14 kills on an impressive .433 hitting percentage, and a third finished with 12 kills and 16 digs. The Bison also piled up 74 digs to EIU’s 62, though the Panthers edged Bucknell in total kills, 61-53.
Set-by-set notes:
– First set: The teams traded points early, but Bucknell seized momentum after a 10-9 advantage for EIU, rolling off a 6-0 run to pull away and never trailed again, finishing 25-19 on timely kills by Kostic and Shaffer.
– Second set: Bucknell and EIU exchanged threats, but the Panthers stretched the lead throughout and pulled away to win 25-18.
– Third set: A tightly contested frame swung Bucknell’s way, 25-23, as the Bison moved ahead after a 20-20 tie on back-to-back EIU errors before Frazilus and Shaffer delivered key kills to close it.
– Fourth set: EIU jumped out 5-0, Bucknell answered to move ahead 8-7, but a sequence of runs left the Panthers in front 16-13 and they held on for a 25-20 win.
– Fifth set: Bucknell briefly led 2-1, yet EIU surged to a 9-4 advantage. Bucknell fought to a 2-0 run and called a timeout, but the Panthers finished strong to claim the set 15-7 and the match.
Looking ahead, Bucknell will head to North Carolina next weekend for the UNC Volleyball Invitational, continuing a season that has shown depth and resilience despite the early setback.
Additional context and takeaways:
– The Bison showcased three versatile attackers capable of producing in double figures, complemented by a strong defensive effort with multiple contributors in digs.
– The match featured several momentum swings, underscoring Bucknell’s ability to respond after setbacks and maintain competitiveness across all five sets.
– For coaches and fans, the performance provides useful data on lineups and matchups to build on as Bucknell prepares for the upcoming tournament in North Carolina.
Summary:
Bucknell’s five-set thriller against Eastern Illinois highlighted a balanced attack and a sturdy defensive effort, with multiple players contributing double-digit kills and strong digs. Although the team came up short, the rally potential and key performances offer optimism as Bucknell anticipates its next challenge in North Carolina. Look for continued development from the top hitters and improved execution in late-game situations as the season progresses.