The Siena Saints finished their weekend at the Bucknell Invitational strong, coming back from a 2-1 defecit and topping the Hampton Pirates by a final score of 3-2. The Green and Gold split the day, falling to host Bucknell earlier in the day by a score of 3-0.

Match 1: Bucknell 3, Siena 0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-15)
Sophie Bullard and Mimi Richards combined for 21 kills as they aided the Bison offense over the Saints. As a team, Bucknell totaled up a .333 hitting percentage to the Saints' .169. For Siena (1-2), freshman Ally-Reese Williams led the offensive attack with 10 kills. Maria Llinas tossed out 25 assists and led the team in digs with eight. 

The Saints struggled to get in front of the Bison after an early first set lead. However, Bucknell went on a 6-0 to close out the first set to go up 1-0. They continued that momentum through the other two sets, grabbing early leads in each set that the Saints could not top. 

"That Bucknell team played such a solid match," said head coach Vilis Ozols. "Our young lineup played on their heels a bit, but it was a good learning experience and I feel like we are growing in leaps and bounds with every outing."

Both sides were strong at the net, with each squad totaling up eight blocks.

Match 2: Siena 3, Hampton 2 (25-18, 24-26, 10-25, 25-18, 16-14)
The Green and Gold battled back after a tough third set to take the next two sets in the win over the Pirates. Sol Guidarelli collected a double-double with 10 kills and 14 digs, while Nicole Deobler led the Saints in kills with 12. Hampton's Gabby Calloway put up a solid 15 kill, 16 dig performance in the loss for the Pirates.

Junior Dakota Jackson chipped in with eight kills and 10 digs, while defensively Llinas' 15 digs led the way to pair with her 32 assists. Guidarelli and Jackson posted strong attack percentages, putting up a .292 and .286.

"Twice this weekend we had matches where the team faced a deficit at key parts of the match, none tougher than the one at the end of this match," said Ozols. "This team showed grit and character and I feel like we found out about our character under pressure. These players are fighters and have a lot to be proud of with this effort."

The first set was built on streaks, as the Saints used a 10-1 run to open up a 13-6 lead. Both sides would trade runs, as Siena used three points in a row capped by a pair of ball handling errors on Hampton and a service ace from freshman Isabella Ultsch to take a 1-0 lead. The second set saw both sides battle out to the end, as Hampton held a 24-22 lead, one point away from taking the set. But Jackson and sophomore Abby Huffman came thorugh with kills to tie up the match at 24-24. Following the Huffman kill, a Siena service error and a kill by Calloway gave Hampton the point they needed to take the set win and tie things at 1-1.

Hampton would take set three handedly 25-10, forcing the Saints back against the wall in set four facing a sweep on the day. But Siena would step up, striking early and often and taking a 21-16 lead. The Green and Gold used four points in a row to take the set, as Llinas, Jackson, and sophomore Maddy Dunigan all knocked down kills to tie the match at 2-2.

Siena would wrap things up in set five, but first faced adversity in the set. Hampton came within two points of a win, holding a 13-9 lead. But Deobler and Dunigan each collected kills, with Deobler stepping up with a pair for three straight points to come with in one at 13-12. A Hampton attack error tied things up at 13-13 as the Saints held momentum. That led to Jackson finding the floor on the other side of the net fort a service ace to take a 14-13 lead. But Calloway answered back with a kill for Hampton to once again tie the set at 14-14. Williams would cap a solid weekend for herself with a kill to put Siena back up by one, which then led to Calloway missing with an attack error on the following rally, giving the Saints the 16-14 win to wrap the match.

Siena return to the court next Friday when they face Delaware State in their first match of the Lafayette Invitational in Easton, PA. The match is set for 4:30 p.m.