Inbal Peleg (12) American University vs. Bucknell University volleyball in Bender Arena on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. (Photo: Scott Fields)
Scott Fields
3
Winner Bucknell Buck 11-4,4-2 Patriot
2
American Americ 9-8,2-4 Patriot
Winner
Bucknell Buck
11-4,4-2 Patriot
3
Final
2
American Americ
9-8,2-4 Patriot
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
Bucknell Buck 19 20 25 25 15 (3)
American Americ 25 25 17 14 6 (2)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

Bucknell Rallies from Two Sets Down to Hand Volleyball its First Home Loss of 2022

WASHINGTON - After two strong sets, momentum shifted and never came back for American University volleyball in a five-set loss to Bucknell (11-4, 4-2) on Saturday night. It was the first home loss of the season for the Eagles (9-8, 2-4).

NOTABLE
  • Halfway through the first set, Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year Zeynep Uzen left the match due to injury. American rallied without her and went on to win the first set and the second, but the loss was significant. The Eagles were also without middle blocker Katie Putney who was injured in the previous match.
  • Esma Sipahi stepped up well for the Eagles with six kills, hitting a team-best .333 while also posting two aces, nine digs and leading AU in assists (13) and blocks (five). 
  • Bridget Javitch and Inbal Peleg both recorded 11 digs.
  • Leading American in kills was Adelina Berisha with 10. 
  • While AU has recorded more than its 136 attack attempts seven times this season, it has only once recorded as many attack errors as tonight (28), doing the same in a five-set loss at Army.
  • Despite the match going to five sets, the Eagles' 35 kills were their third-lowest total of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Bucknell committed 10 attack errors to AU's three in the first set, and American took advantage, building a lead midway through and holding on for a 25-19 win.
  • The second set was the closest of the night with eight ties and five lead changes. AU trailed 19-17 before closing strong with an 8-1 run capped by two Berisha kills and then a set-winning kill from Sipahi for the 25-20 victory and a 2-0 lead in the match.
  • The Eagles' 1-0 lead in the third set was their last of the night. 
  • Bucknell had more than double AU's kills in the third set on its way to winning 25-17, and out-hit the Eagles .316 to -.074 in a 25-14 fourth-set victory.
  • There would be no recovery for American in the fifth set as the Bison jumped out to a 7-2 lead. AU got a few back before Bucknell scored the final seven points of the match for a 15-6
UP NEXT
  • The Eagles will play a non-conference match at home on Tuesday against UMES at 4 p.m.
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