POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.- The La Salle volleyball team fell in straight sets to Bucknell (20-25, 15-25, 19-25) to open up the Volley in the Valley on Friday evening. Senior Laura Kuhlmeier recorded a team high ten kills in the loss.
 
Freshman setter Taylor Hite recorded seven kills on the evening which is a career high for her to go along with 24 assists and six digs. Classmate Jensen Sharrits recorded 11 digs in the effort.
 
The Explorers held an 11-9 lead early in set one before the Bison grabbed 10 of 13 points to grab a 19-14 lead from which they wouldn't look back in the set on their way to a 25-20 win. Kuhlmeier fueled the offensive effort in the set grabbing seven kills on just 12 swings with a hitting percentage .500 in the frame.
 
Set two saw Bucknell jump out to a commanding early lead at 8-1 and control the set from there. The Bison hit .265 in the frame which they won 25-15. Hite paced the offense in the set with three kills and a service ace.
 
The final frame saw La Salle stick tight early in the set but after cutting the deficit to just one at 11-10 the Explorers allowed the Bison to grab six straight points on their way to a 25-19 set win. Sophomore Bryanna Davis tallied four of her six kills on the night in the frame. Bucknell hit .321 in the final set.
 
La Salle closes out the Volley in the Valley with a doubleheader tomorrow facing Marist at 1:30 p.m. and Bryant at 4:30 p.m.