Bucknell University Athletics
Volleyball Announces Four-Player Recruiting Class
2/26/2015 2:58:00 PM | Volleyball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell volleyball has announced a four-player recruiting class, set to join the Bison for the 2015 season. Lindsey Baker, Blake Buchholz, Stephanie Occhiogrosso and Jamie Risdal will join a Bison team that is coming off a season in which they posted their most Patriot League wins since 2010.
"I am very excited to announce our 2019 class,” said Bucknell head coach Anna Allison. “These young women will make a great impact on the court and in the Bucknell community. All of them are great athletes and have played club at the highest levels. They understand what it means to be a scholar-athlete here at Bucknell and they are ready to be a part of our AS ONE."
Below is a closer look at each player joining the Bucknell team:
Lindsey Baker (Colorado Springs, Colorado/Cheyenne Mountain) – OH/RS – 6-0 – Team captain at Cheyenne Mountain … earned CCGS First Team All-State honors … two-time All-Conference selection, including First Team as a senior … team won the Colorado 4A state championship in 2012 and PPAC regional championships in 2012, 2013 and 2014 … daughter of Tom and Maria Baker … great grandfather played football at Michigan
Allison on Lindsey Baker – “Lindsey is a versatile player who can play both pins. She is the type of player who always has a smile on her face and will bring a high-level of enthusiasm to our team.”
Blake Buchholz (Waupun, Wisconsin/Waupun) – OH – 5-9 – four-year letterwinner at Waupun … named First Team All-State and All-Conference following her senior season … selected to the State All-Tournament Team … recorded state record 28 kills in a four-set match … team was four-time conference champions, three-time regional champions, and won the section title her senior season … also lettered in track and field … daughter of Brant and Cheri Buchholz … has two siblings, Bryce and Baron … aunt, Krista Buchholz, played volleyball at the University of North Carolina.
Allison on Buchholz – “Blake is a very good passer and a smart hitter. She has the ability to make those around her play better.”
Stephanie Occhiogrosso (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) – MB/RS – 6-1 – Team captain and three-year letterwinner at Ridge … named the Skyland Conference Player of the Year after her senior season … First Team All-State in each of her final two seasons … selected Courier News Player of the Year and Star-Ledger Central Jersey Player of the Year as a junior … earned Max Preps/ACVA New Jersey Player of the Week and Ridge High School Fall Athlete of the Month honors … returned from an injury part way through her senior year and led 24th-seeded Ridge to the state finals with a win over fourth-seeded Hillsborough in the semis … had 14 kills in the semifinal game, leading Ridge to the state championship game for the second straight year … tallied school record 19 kills in a three-set match … finished career with 500 kills and 118 blocks … qualified for Junior Nationals while playing for the Atlantic Valley Volleyball Club … daughter of Joe and Annmarie Occhiogrosso … has two siblings, Alex and Frankie … father, Joe Occhiogrosso, played baseball at Rutgers.
Allison on Occhiogrosso – “Steph is a great athlete who can play at all three positions at the net. She is an intense player who plays with a lot of heart.”
Jamie Risdal (Spring, Texas/Klein Oak) – MB – 6-2 – Team captain and four-year letterwinner at KIein Oak … two-time All-District selection … led team to postseason berths all four years … earned Academic All-District honors all four years and Academic All-State accolades her junior season … qualified for the Junior National while playing for Willowbrook … daughter of David and Kristen Risdal … has two siblings, Shawn and Jordan … is a licensed EMT.
Allison on Risdal – “Jamie is a great middle, solid blocker. She is always available and ready. She has that 'intense look' when she is at the net."
