Two Patriot League Matches on the Slate for Volleyball this Weekend

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell volleyball returns to action with a pair of Patriot League matches this week. The Bison are set to host Lehigh on Friday at 7 p.m., and will travel to play Lafayette on Saturday at 2 p.m. Both matches will be shown free of charge on the Patriot League Network.

Bucknell is 7-6 overall and 1-2 in the Patriot League after splitting a pair of matches against conference opponents last weekend. The Bison won a thrilling 3-2 match over Navy on Friday. It was the Bison's first win over the Mids since 2011, ending a six-matching losing streak. The loss came via a 3-0 score to two-time defending league champion American on Saturday.

Freshman Blake Buchholz earned recognition as a Patriot League Honorable Mention for her performance against Navy. The rookie had a solid all-around match with 13 kills, 16 digs, three total blocks and an ace. She currently ranks first on the team in digs (135) and second in kills (218).

One year after leading the league in blocks, Bucknell is near the top again. Despite missing junior middle blocker Erika Eastley for the first eight matches, the Bison are third in the Patriot League, averaging 2.16 blocks per set. Senior Karen Campbell has led the charge with 1.19 blocks per set, including 10 (five solo) in the win over Navy. Eastley is averaging 1.06 in her five matches played.

Campbell also ranks second in kills (3.32) and third in hitting percentage (.366). Senior Meghan Wentzel is second in assists (9.70/set), while Jenna Slusar and Hana Sawanobori are sixth and seventh, respectively, in aces.

vs. Lehigh | Friday, 7 p.m. | Live Stats | Watch Live
Lehigh enters at 9-8 overall and 2-1 in the league. The Mountain Hawks suffered a 3-0 loss to Lafayette in their Patriot League opener, but have bounced back with wins over Loyola (Md.) and Navy. They rank second in the conference in assists (12.07/set), kills (13.16/set), blocks (2.29/set) and aces (1.64/set). Individually, Ana Vrhel is second with 22 aces and third with 1.64 blocks per set.

Bucknell has played Lehigh every season since it started its volleyball program in 1978 and trails the series 43-26. The Mountain Hawks have won four straight, while the Bison last won in 2012. The Mountain Hawks were the only team in the league to notch a win over American last season and finished second in the standings. They were picked to again finish second this year, receiving two first-place votes.

at Lafayette | Saturday, 2 p.m. | Live Stats | Watch Live
After winning six matches all of last season, Lafayette is 10-4 overall and 2-1 in the Patriot League this year. The Leopards opened conference play with a big 3-0 sweep over Lehigh and then split their next two matches with a loss to American and a win over Loyola (Md.). Lafayette has won five of its past six matches, including a perfect 3-0 mark at its home invitational. Lafayette has been one of the best defensive teams in the league this season, ranking first in opponent hitting percentage (.150) and second in dig (15.63/set). The Leopards also rank first in aces 94. Jet Manzi leads the league in aces with 28, while three-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week Maria Balus is third with 20. Balus also ranks fourth in assists (8.92/set).

Bucknell has also played Lafayette every year since the program started in 1978. The Bison lead the all-time series 38-23. They have won each of the past three meetings, including two 3-0 sweeps last season.