By Rob Duffy
Managing Editor
The volleyball team lost three matches in straight sets at the Trojan Invitational last weekend in Los Angeles, Calif. The Orange and Blue struggled to get any momentum going against quality competition.
Against Loyola Marymount on Saturday, each set started out close, but each time the Bison eventually fell behind and allowed the Lions to build commanding leads. Loyola Marymount beat the Orange and Blue 25-17 in the first set, 25-16 in the second, and 25-15 in the third. The Lions recorded a total of 44 kills compared to 20 for the Bison.
Earlier in the day, the Orange and Blue could not keep up with No. 10 USC, falling 25-7, 25-18, and 25-13. The Trojans jumped on the Bison from the very beginning, getting off to a 13-2 lead in the first set. The second set was closer as the Orange and Blue prevented the Trojans from going on any extended runs. The Bison battled back from a 20-14 deficit to a 21-18 gap, but USC closed out the set with four straight points. The Trojans continued this run into the third set, getting off to an 8-0 lead from which the Bison could not come back.
The Bison also failed to get off the ground in their season opener against Cal State Fullerton Friday, losing 25-16, 25-11, and 25-15. Fullerton opened up large early leads in the first two sets, but even when the Bison stayed close early in the third set, they allowed several large runs to prevent victory.
Low attack percentages plagued the Bison all weekend. Out of its nine sets, the team’s top percentage was .115, and the team played four sets with either a negative percentage or zero. The team’s opponents only recorded one set below .200.
Heidi Kamp ’11 was named to the All-Tournament Team.
The Bison will try to turn things around in the Bucknell Invitational this weekend. The team will face Eastern Michigan at 7:30 p.m. tonight before taking on Iona at 12 p.m. and Providence at 5 p.m. Saturday. The Orange and Blue hope that home-court advantage will help them to their first win of the season.
