With the pressure of improving its winning streak to a school record 10 matches, the Bulls' volleyball team took the court to face local rival Canisius. Although the Golden Griffins put up a fight, Buffalo ended up on the victorious side of a 3-1 win (30-20, 30-26, 27-30, 30-28).
Coming in to the game, head coach Jim Lodes knew the game would be tough.
"I was happy with the result, especially knowing the game would not be easy," Lodes said.
Seniors Jenna Map?(c) and Nikki Morzenti combined to lead the Bulls to victory. Map?(c) finished with a career high 24 kills to go along with 10 digs, while Morzenti contributed 17 kills and 12 digs. Sophomore Alyssa Fichette had a match high six blocks to go along with seven kills, and senior Brandie Clark finished with a career best 56 assists and added 16 digs.
"Our opponents want to take us out. Teams are playing against us looking to knock us down and stop the streak," Lodes said. "Kelsey Lueders and Alyssa Fitchette have done a great job stepping in the game as well."
At the beginning of the match, it seemed like Buffalo had the victory under wraps, as the team coasted to an easy 30-20 first game win.
"After winning the first game, I would hope that we could cruise right through the other matches, but it did not happen," Lodes said.
Buffalo had to fight for its wins against the Golden Griffins in the remaining games.
"They played super scrappy volleyball against us, but credit to the girls for sticking with the plan and coming out with the win," Lodes said.
The game of the match was the decisive game four, which the Bulls took 30-28. The game was a back-and-forth battle, which saw the Griffs ahead for the majority of the time. There were several long and exciting volleys, where on several occasions each team thought they had won a point, only to see a miraculous recovery from the opposing team. The Griffs looked as if they had game four in hand and were about to send the match to a decisive game five, before the Bulls rallied to close them out 30-28.
"It was tough but we came and didn't give up," Morzenti said. "We fought hard and most importantly, we had fun."
Canisius was led in kills by Leigh Launhardt with 18 and was led in assists by Brittany Gerde with 47. Jess Stackhouse had 22 digs for the Golden Griffins.
The Bulls will look continue its winning streak when it travels to the Cornell Invitational - its first match will be against St. John's at 2 p.m. on Friday. The next day, Buffalo will take on Binghamton at 10 a.m. and then the host Cornell Big Red at 2 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
