Bucknell University Athletics
Richards Named Patriot League Volleyball Rookie of the Week
8/30/2016 11:30:00 AM | Volleyball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Mimi Richards had an outstanding start to her Bucknell volleyball career this past weekend with her selection to the All-Tournament Team at the Bison's four-team home event. After helping the Bison record a three-set win over Fairleigh Dickinson and nearly an improbable comeback against Canisius, the freshman was named the Molten Patriot League Rookie of the Week on Tuesday.
Richards finished the three matches with 12 kills, a .361 hitting percentage, and 16 total blocks, four of which were solo blocks. In her collegiate debut, a 3-0 win over Fairleigh Dickinson. She was also second on the team with six kills.
The Bison nearly pulled off a comeback from down 2-0 against Canisius before falling 15-13 in the final set on Saturday, and Richards was there to lead the charge. She tallied six total blocks despite playing in just four of the five sets, and thee of those blocks were solo. She also added eight kills with no errors on 12 attempts for a .667 hitting percentage.
In the final match of the weekend, Bucknell took the first set against eventual tournament champion East Carolina before falling 3-1. Richards continued her success with six more total blocks.
Bucknell has had a player earn Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors in each of the past three seasons. Junior Hailey Stout received the award once in 2014, while sophomore Blake Buchholz won it twice in 2015.
The Bison return to action at the Robert Morris/Duquesne Invitational this weekend. They will play Coppin State (at Duquesne) on Friday 4 p.m., at Duquesne on Saturday at 2 p.m., and at Robert Morris on Saturday at 7 p.m.
