It was a bittersweet weekend for the Bulls' volleyball team. Buffalo opened up the 2006 season with losses against Charlotte and Davidson on Saturday, and won the next day against the North Carolina A&T Aggies, and the High Point Panthers.
Buffalo lost both of its Saturday matches three sets to zero and lost its first match to Charlotte 30-24, 30-27 and 30-27.
"Charlotte competed well," said Jim Lodes, Bulls head coach. "There were just a couple critical moments where we had poor streaks that were just enough to give up a deficit to lose by. But for an opener and everything that is new it was a good start to see right away where we are."
Senior Nikki Morzenti achieved a game-high 15 kills that also put her over the 1,000-career kills mark.
"Nikki has always been a great person on the roster," Lodes said. "She is a natural competitor, and wants to be a complete player. She is very simple to coach, and as a four year-starter Nikki has done a lot for this program. The team looks to her for leadership and to play at the best level she can. When she's playing well it makes it easier for newcomers and the team."
Lizaiha Garcia, junior, and Brandie Clark, senior, each were productive in their own rights as well. Garcia finished with a game-high 15 digs and three aces while Clark led the team with 33 assists as the team's new setter for the season.
"Brandie's done a great job," Lodes said. "Her role as an attacker was greatly different from what she is doing now. She had shoulder surgery and had to play in a controlled situation all spring. She had some jitters and pulled through very well. She'll build off of this and be fine."
The story was the same against Davidson later that day. Davidson squeaked by the Bulls in three games 30-24, 30-26, 32-30. Morzenti once again led Buffalo in kills with nine and Garcia had another game-high in digs with 17.
Sunday's games had the reverse fortunes for Buffalo as they continued on their road trip through the Tar Heel State. The Bulls swept North Carolina A&T in three games, 30-24, 30-15 and 30-22 and then downed High Point in four games, 30-28, 25-30, 30-27 and 30-19.
"North Carolina A&T is a very athletic team," Lodes said. "We played the match for the most part in control. High Point arguably was the best serving team. We did a great job to find way to dominate games."
Clark led the team in assists in both contests with 29 against North Carolina A&T and 38 versus High Point. Senior Jenna Map?(c) had a match-high of 11 kills versus the Aggies, while Morzenti had her third match-high with 18 kills against the Panthers. Garcia continued to dominate in digs with 15 against North Carolina A&T and 23 versus High Point.
A good number of newcomers to the volleyball team saw a significant amount of playing time over the weekend. Sophomore Alyssa Fitchette had Buffalo's sole block against Charlotte and had four blocks against High Point. Sophomore Kate Love recorded six kills versus Charlotte. Freshman Kelsey Leuders had five block assists against Davidson and five against High Point.
"We had a good mix of newcomers and they played," Lodes said. "In their first matches, they did great. Kate and Kelsey both put up really good numbers and both did wonderful. I'm happy in general with our team. It is deeper and more balanced and more versatile. Due to injuries last year we had limited depth but now we have the people to help us. I'm happy with what the vets have done as well. We are also pretty fortunate that the vets have done a good job accepting everyone."
The Bulls return home on Friday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. in Alumni Arena to take on Quinnipiac to start off the Western New York Invitational. The team will then face off against Youngstown State and Coastal Carolina on Saturday.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
