Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lehigh
Volleyball Hosts Lehigh and Lafayette to Open League Play
9/26/2019 10:16:00 AM | Volleyball
Setting the Scene
What:Â Lehigh (7-7, 0-0 PL) at Bucknell (11-1, 0-0 PL)
When: Saturday, Sept. 28 at 4 p.m.
Where:Â Davis Gym, Lewisburg, Pa.
Live Stats:Â BucknellBison.com
What:Â Lafayette (11-5, 0-0 PL) at Bucknell (11-1, 0-0 PL)
When: Sunday, Sept. 29 at 2 p.m.
Where:Â Davis Gym, Lewisburg, Pa.
Watch Live: Patriot League Network
Live Stats:Â BucknellBison.com
About the Bison
• Bucknell is entering Patriot League play on a 10-match winning streak, the longest in school history. The Bison dropped just one match during tournament play and swept six of its non-league opponents.
• Sophie Bullard made two All-Tournament teams during the first four weeks of the season. Bullard leads the team in kills (128) and is second in digs (166). The senior registered her fourth and fifth double-doubles of the season last weekend.
• Senior Mimi Richards trails Bullard with 118 kills and leads the team in total blocks with 43, including eight in a win over The Citadel. Richards also has one All-Tournament selection this fall.
• Middle blocker Bridgette Holland was an All-Tournament selection at both the Youngstown State and CCSU Invitationals. The senior sits third on the team with 2.53 kills per set.
• Senior Libero Brooke Stark averages 4.31 digs per set this season, and tallied a career-high 35 in a win over Central Connecticut State. Stark was named the tournament MVP at the CCSU Invitational.
• Freshman Kelsey O'Loughlin has been named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week three times this season and ranks fourth among freshmen in the NCAA with 10.58 assists per set. O'Loughlin also leads the team with 17 service aces.
• Bucknell is currently leading the league in hitting percentage (.246) and assists per set (12.6).
Scouting Lehigh
• Lehigh was 20-8 overall and 9-7 in the Patriot League in 2018. The team ended the season winning four of its last five matches.
• The Mountain Hawks have gone 7-7 in tournament play this fall and are 2-7 in matches played away from home.
• The Mountain Hawks returned the majority of last season's starters, including middle blocker Emily Poole and outside hitter Hannah Wright, who each were All-Patriot League selections in 2018.
• Also back for a senior season is middle blocker Bridget Lauren, who currently sits atop the league in hitting percentage with .399.
• Bucknell and Lehigh have shared one common opponent so far this season in Delaware State. The Mountain Hawks won that match 3-0.
• Lehigh was picked sixth in the Patriot League Preseason Poll with 76 points.
• The Mountain Hawks will face Lafayette on Friday before coming to Davis Gym Saturday.
Series History with Lehigh
• Lehigh leads the all-time series 49-28, dating back to 1978.
• Bucknell last defeated the Mountain Hawks at home in October of 2017.
Scouting Lafayette
• Lafayette was 5-23 overall and 0-16 in the Patriot League in 2018, failing to win a match on the road.
• This year, the Leopards have opened with an 11-5 record and, like the Bison, enter league play on a 10-match win streak.
• Lafayette returned 15 members from last year's roster, which include the team's kills leader Grace Tulevech. The sophomore outside hitter is back at it this season with a team-high 200 kills through 16 matches played.
• Behind Tulevech is Leanna Deegan, who broke the Patriot League's single-match kills record as a freshman in 2018.
• Bucknell and Lafayette have shared six common opponents this fall, with neither team dropping any of those matches.
• Lafayette was picked ninth in the Patriot League Preseason Poll with 17 points.
• The Leopards will face Lehigh at home on Friday before making the trip to Lewisburg.
Series History with Lafayette
• Bucknell leads the all-time series 44-24 and has won the previous four meetings.
• The Bison posted an average hitting percentage of .247 in the two wins over the Leopards last season.
Up Next
• The Bison will go on the road for matches at Loyola Maryland (Oct. 4) and American (Oct. 5).
