Volleyball Travels to Columbia Invitational this Weekend

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell volleyball team opened its season last weekend with a long trip to the Cal State Fullerton Titan Classic and came home with a 1-2 record. The Bison had a productive weekend against tough competition as they took a set from Cal State Fullerton, went five sets with Texas Tech and came back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Sacred Heart. Additionally, Bucknell had the unique opportunity to watch a U.S. National Volleyball Team practice.

This weekend the Bison are back on the road as they travel a shorter distance to New York City to participate in the Columbia Invitational. Bucknell will open the tournament with a 7:30 p.m. match against the host Lions on Friday before taking on Fairfield (10 a.m.) and Stony Brook (4:30 p.m.) on Saturday. All three matches will be played in Levien Gymnasium.

Live stats will be available for each of the Bison matches this weekend, while all three matches will also have a free live video broadcast via the Ivy League Digital Network.

The Columbia Invitational began in 2009 and this is Bucknell's second appearance in the event, having also participated in 2012.

The Bison have had experience playing each of this weekend's opponents in the past. They are 7-5 all-time against Columbia, including wins in three of the last four meetings and six of the last eight, while they are 1-1 against Fairfield with the most recent matchup coming in 2006. Stony Brook holds a 9-0 edge in the series that began in 2000.

Stony Brook brings a 2-2 record into this weekend, while Fairfield is 1-3 through the first week of the season. Columbia will be playing its first matches of 2014 this weekend.

Bucknell had a very balanced offensive attack on its opening weekend of the season as Jordan Walker (33), Hailey Stout (32), Karen Campbell (29) and Erika Eastley (21) each had between 21 and 33 kills.

Meghan Wentzel led Bucknell with 102 assists during the California trip, boosting her career total to 812. Kristen Parks posted a team-high 50 digs, with Katie Price not far behind with 44.

Campbell and Eastley both ranked in the top five in the Patriot League in blocks a year ago and they picked up where they left off. Campbell totaled 20 blocks, while Eastley recorded 16. Kristen Gelenitis matched Eastley with 16 blocks after entering the season with just one over her first two campaigns.

The Bison will make their first home appearance of the season next weekend when they host their own Bucknell Invitational. Connecticut and Cornell will square off on Friday evening (Sept. 12). The Bison will then host those two teams Saturday at 11:30 a.m. (Connecticut) and 4:30 p.m. (Cornell).