Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
The Citadel
Season Preview: Volleyball Seeks Fresh Start in Opener on Friday
8/29/2019 11:35:00 AM | Volleyball
Youngstown Invitational
Setting the Scene, Part I
Who:Â Bucknell (0-0) vs The Citadel (0-0)
When:Â Friday, Aug. 30, 4:30Â p.m.Â
Where:Â The Beeghly Center, Youngstown, Ohio
Live Stats:Â YSUSports.com
Setting the Scene, Part II
Who:Â Bucknell (0-0) at Youngstown State (0-0)
When:Â Friday, Aug. 30, 7Â p.m.Â
Where:Â The Beeghly Center, Youngstown, Ohio
Live Video:Â ESPN+
Live Stats:Â YSUSports.com
Setting the Scene, Part III
Who:Â Bucknell (0-0) at Saint Francis (0-0)
When:Â Friday, Aug. 31, 12:30Â p.m.Â
Where:Â The Beeghly Center, Youngstown, Ohio
Live Stats:Â Â YSUSports.com
About the Bison
- Bucknell posted an 8-19 record last season. The team was 1-9 on the road and 3-3 in neutral site games.
- The Bison roster is made up of seven freshmen, four sophomores, three juniors, and five seniors.
- Head coach Anna Allison is entering her seventh season as the head coach of Bucknell volleyball and totals 15 seasons at the school. Allison's 58 wins are third all-time.
- Katelyn Beauregard and Taylor Virtue are new additions to the coaching staff in 2019.
- The Bison jumped out to a hot start last season, winning five of their first seven matches in tournament play.
- Returners Mimi Richards, Sophie Bullard, and Bridgette Holland each averaged at least 2.1 kill/set in 2018
- Libero Brooke Stark has played in all but two matches during her previous three seasons at Bucknell
About The Citadel/Series History
- The Citadel went 12-19 last season. The Bull Dogs'Â four wins within the Southern Conference were the most in program history.
- The team also reached the Southern Conference Tournament for the first time.
- The Citadel junior Sharlissa De Jesus was named to the 2019 All-Southern Conference Preseason team.
- Friday will be the first-ever matchup between Bucknell and The Citadel.Â
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About Youngstown State/Series History
- The Penguins posted a 7-22 record last season.
- Only five of the Penguins' returners saw action in more than 45 sets in 2018.
- Youngstown State enters the second year of the Aline Scott era. Scott is joined by first-year assistants Destiny Clark, Kajetan Borecki, and Mckenzie Reese.
- Youngstown State defeated Bucknell in four sets during the opening tournament of the season last year. The Bison are 0-6 all-time in the series.
About Saint Francis/Series History
- Saint Francis was 5-22 overall and 4-10 in the Northeast Conference last season.
- The Red Flash return two players (Madi Tyus and Nicole Adams) who finished top-10 in kills in the Northeast Conference last season.
- The team started 0-10 last season before going 5-12 in the final 17 matches.
- The Bison hold a 29-8 all-time advantage over the Red Flash.
Up Next
The Bison return to Lewisburg to host the Bucknell Invitational Sept. 6 and 7. The Bison will face Saint Peter's, Siena, and St. Francis Brooklyn in their second weekend of tournament action.Â
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Season Preview
The Bucknell Bison volleyball team makes its 2019 debut this weekend at the Youngstown Invitational in Youngstown, Ohio. The Bison will be led by head coach Anna Allison, who enters her seventh season as head coach and 15th overall with the program. After finishing last season 8-19, the Bison have added depth to the roster and formed a new circle of leadership among the seniors.
"It was a weird season. We had a lot of injuries. It's almost like we couldn't have enough people healthy to play a full match," said Allison. "Fast forward to the fall and preseason and it has been incredible. Our seniors have been tremendous leaders."
In lieu of assigning captains this season, Allison appointed a leadership council consisting of the five seniors. The group developed a set of goals and guidelines to help steer the team in the right direction this season. "It's almost like being in a boardroom. They agree to disagree sometimes. They come up with great solutions and insight and they bounce stuff off each other," said Allison.
Joining the Bison this fall are seven freshmen who each have an opportunity to crack the starting lineup. Allison emphasized this preseason that the best players will play, rather than focusing on seniority on the court.
One senior who will see plenty of playing time this season is Sophie Bullard. Bullard played in all 27 matches on the outside last season and led her team in kills with 233. Sophomore Jennie Burke also saw significant playing time last season before missing time due to injury.
Bucknell returns sophomore Vittoria Sottani and junior Delanie Lewis, who combined for eight starts in 2018. Meanwhile, Allison believes freshmen Lisa Zoch and Sarina Singer also have an opportunity to make a difference on the outside. Â
Freshmen Camryn Anderson and Sandra Korusiewicz will be competing with junior Anna Carroll for playing time on the right side. Carroll played 55 sets last season.
Seniors Bridgette Holland and Mimi Richards were the centerpieces of the Bison's rotation last season, starting nearly every match together. Richards enters the season ranked fifth in program history in block assists (269) and seventh in total blocks (315).
Sophomore Emma Buchanan also returns for a second season after seeing time in 12 matches last season. "Emma has two great teachers in front of her in Bridgette and Mimi. We're looking for her to continue to progress and step into the role," said Allison.
The senior representation among the setters is Selby Schnobrich, who's leadership off the court has been felt throughout the offseason.
"She is somebody that keeps the team together. She's that unsung hero that's making everyone better and keeping everyone engaged. Her work ethic is second to none. I feel like our team wouldn't be what it is if she wasn't leading it," said Allison.
The Bison also have Alexa Bonnano, who started 25 of 27 matches in 2018, and freshman Kelsey O'Loughlin, who saw heavy playing time in the Bison's lone preseason scrimmage.
 Senior Brooke Stark returns for a fourth season at the libero position for Bucknell. Stark has missed just two matches during her three seasons at Bucknell. The Thousand Oaks, Calif. native ranked sixth in the league with 331 digs last season and led the team with 24 aces.
Sophomore defensive specialists Vanessa Eng and Angela Pieroni return to the roster as well.
The coaching staff has a new look this season after Katelyn Beauregard and Taylor Virtue were brought on as assistants. Beauregard spent the previous two seasons as an assistant at Albion College. Virtue was an assistant at Saint Martin's in 2017 and 2018.
"Really quickly they bought into my vision," said Allison "They shared my vision and it's something that I'm extremely grateful for. I love to see them on the court coaching the team. They do a tremendous job and establish a great rapport."
Bucknell's opening match is against The Citadel at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30. They'll also face Youngstown State and Saint Francis over the weekend. The first home action for the Bison will be Sept. 6 when they host the Bucknell Invitational in Lewisburg. The team will take part in two other tournaments before Patriot League play begins Sept. 28 against Lehigh.
"It's going to be fun. The competition we have in the gym today is one of the best we've seen it years," said Allison. "It takes a while to get there. It takes a while to get 15 solid players in the gym, and I think we're finally there."
