By Rob Duffy

Managing Editor

The women’s volleyball team came from behind to win its first match of the season, defeating Providence in five sets in the final match of the Bison Open. Kyleigh McAhren ’12 had 18 kills and Rachel Rodriguez ’11 had 30 assists for the Bison, who snapped a 12-match losing streak dating back to last season.

“We have had a tough preseason schedule so far, and although our record might not show it, we have become a stronger team in just these past two weeks of tournaments and practices,” McAhren said.

After the Bison dropped the second and third sets and fell behind 13-4 in the fourth, a kill by McAhren sparked a rally. With three kills by Katie Baumgarten ’12, the Orange and Blue went on a 9-1 run to climb back within one.

After Providence widened its lead to 18-14, the Bison scored seven straight, including three kills by Rodriguez, to take a 21-18 lead. The Orange and Blue won the set 25-20.
Providence opened the fifth with a 9-5 lead, and once again the Orange and Blue had to fight to come from behind.

Down 13-9, the Bison forced four straight errors to even the score. After the two teams traded kills, Anne Ellenberger ’12 scored to give the Orange and Blue the lead for good. The Bison won the set 16-14.

The comeback followed a 25-21 loss in the second set and a 25-14 setback in the third set. In the first set, the Bison overcame an early deficit to win 25-22.

The Bison lost to Eastern Michigan 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-18) and to Iona 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-15, 25-23) in the previous two games of the tournament.

Heidi Kamp  ’11 was named to the All-Tournament Team for the second straight weekend.

“We learned how to play better together as the weekend went on,” McAhren said. “This weekend started out with a couple of losses, but we ended on a positive note, giving us the confidence we need to win at this weekend’s tournament in Niagara.”

The Bison, now 1-5, will take on Niagara, Canisius and Indiana this weekend in the Niagara/Canisius Invitational.