Oct. 14, 2006

WASHINGTON - The American University women's volleyball team finished the first round of regular season play in the Patriot League undefeated Saturday night, downing Bucknell 3-0 on the road. Freshman Ann Recht (Canby, Ore./La Salle) had a career-high 10 kills at a .714 hitting percentage and Rubena Sukaj (Tirana, Albania/Asim Vokshi) compiled a double-double of 19 kills and 10 digs to lead AU to its ninth straight win, 30-22, 30-28 and 30-26.

The Eagles used a 9-1 run to close out an otherwise tight first game at 30-22. The team hit .368 for the game, led by Sukaj's six kills and a service ace. In the second game, American overcame a rowdy Bucknell crowd and a late 28-25 deficit for the 30-28 win. Setter Christina Nash (Princeton, Fla./Coral Reef) dumped the ball and Ivana Cebakova (Brno, Czech Republic/Ludvika Danka) slammed a free ball to give AU the final two points. Recht had five kills on five attempts to help the Eagles overcome a stingy Bucknell defense that held the Eagles to .209 hitting for the game. The offense rebounded in the third and final game, hitting ,439 led by Sukaj's nine kills.

American totaled a .336 hitting percentage and eight blocks, while holding the Bison to a .189 percentage. Libero Tara Stradling led the team with 11 digs and was one of three Eagles (Chelsa Brooks and Elizabeth Maloney were the others) with two service aces.

With the win American improves to 15-6 and 7-0 in the Patriot League in 2006. They host Lehigh and Lafayette next Friday and Saturday, at 7 p.m. respectively, in Bender Arena.