WASHINGTON - An unusual season took another twist for American University volleyball on Sunday night, as the Eagles battled back but ultimately lost at Bucknell by scores 22-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21 and 11-15. It was only the second-ever loss for the program against the Bison in 50 total matches, and the first since 1996.
NOTABLE
- Leading the way once again for AU was senior Helena Elbaek with 21 kills to go with a career-high 17 digs. Elbaek now needs just 15 kills to reach 1,000 for her career.
- Junior transfer Carlie Fikse had some very impressive stretches of play, finishing with a team-high seven blocks to go with six kills and only a single error.
- Sophomore Asli Celikkol added 13 digs and three blocks to eight kills, sophomore Inbal Peleg recorded a double-double with 20 assists and 11 digs, and senior libero Chiara Bosetti tied Elbaek for team-high honors with 17 digs.
- The defeat marked the first Patriot League loss for American since Sept. 17, 2019 - the Eagles' first PL match of that season.
THOUGHTS FROM COACH BARRY GOLDBERG
- "Great job by Bucknell and their effort to make things tough on us. Attacking and defense were fairly even but they were just a little better tonight. Our team is forming and we had many emotional moments that we did not control very well. We knew from Friday's match that they were playing hungry, and this was the result. We will regroup and see what we can do to make our team more complete."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first set got away from American after the Eagles had taken a 20-15 lead. Bucknell closed it out on a 10-2 run as AU was plagued by error after error.
- Ten ties and five lead changes marked a very tight second set, and it was Fikse who created separation for AU in the final stretch with a couple blocks to go with a set-ending kill.
- The momentum didn't last for the Eagles, who never found their stride in the third set and trailed the whole way as they were out-hit .279 to .136.
- The fourth set was very similar to the second, with 11 ties and three lead changes, the final tie coming at 21-21. American kept its match hopes alive by scoring the final four points and closing it out on a Zeynep Uzen kill.
- AU battled back from a 10-7 deficit in the fifth set to get within one at 11-10, but Bucknell had more left in the tank. The Eagles couldn't tie it up, and the Bison's Delanie Lewis ended the match with a kill.
UP NEXT
- The second weekend of play for AU has the Eagles hosting Lafayette on Friday night, March 12, and traveling to face the Leopards again on Sunday, March 14.
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