Volleyball Faces Top Two Patriot League Foes

Setting the Scene, Part I
Who: Bucknell (9-9, 5-4 PL) vs. Colgate (15-5, 8-1 PL)
When: Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.
Where: Cotterell Court – Hamilton, N.Y.
Live Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: colgateathletics.com

Setting the Scene, Part II
Who: Bucknell (9-9, 5-4 PL) at Army (10-8, 7-2 PL)
When: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 4 p.m.
Where: Gillis Field House – West Point, N.Y.
Live Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: goarmywestpoint.com

About Bucknell

Bucknell played Holy Cross in Worcester last Saturday and avenged last season's defeat in Massachusetts with a four-set victory. Bri Frazilus led the way with 15 kills. The Bison improved to 9-9 overall and 5-4 in Patriot League competition.
Bucknell will play Colgate on Friday and Army on Saturday. Both contests will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available for both games. The links are in this article and on the Bucknell volleyball schedule page.
Bucknell is 15-12 in non-conference matchups under Head Coach Tyler Hagstrom. Last season, the Bison were 7-2 in non-conference games, including a 6-0 start. That start was the best in Bucknell's history.
The Bison were picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll. Reigning champion Colgate was selected to repeat as title-winners. Jordan Hardy was crowned Preseason Libero of the Year. It is the first time a Bucknell libero was awarded the honor. She led the Patriot League in digs (591), 71 more than the nearest opposition, and digs per serve (5.68). Her digs per serve mark ranked her fifth in the nation. Hardy was All-Patriot League Second Team last season.
The Orange & Blue return most of their offensive and defensive prowess. Bri Frazilus, the 2022 Patriot League Rookie of the Year, totaled 293 kills to lead the team and finish fifth in the Patriot League. Senior Catherine "Cat" Jamison collected 263 kills and 277 points, both top-ten in the Patriot League. Along with the returners, the Bison welcome five newcomers to the squad.
Hagstrom enters his fourth season at the helm of the Bison herd. He is joined by third-year assistant Jeremy Young and newly hired assistant coach Haylie Clark, who recently graduated from Elon after a stellar playing career.
Jordan Hardy currently leads the Patriot League in digs per set (5.24) and ranks 13th in the nation for the category. Her 36 digs against Cleveland State are tied for third-most in a five-set game in the NCAA this season.
Caleigh O'Connell ranks fifth (480) in the circuit in assists.
Sidney Shaffer is sixth (.292) in the PL for hitting percentage.
Catherine Jamison continues her sensational senior season as fourth in kills (202) and sixth in points (222).
Bucknell is tied for third in the PL at 5-4 with American.

Scouting Colgate/Series History

The Raiders are 15-5 on the season. In their most recent game, Colgate lost to American for its first conference defeat. The loss ended a nine-game losing streak for the conference favorite. Colgate has two P5 wins on the wins: Syracuse and West Virginia, and are 9-0 at home. The Raiders, at 8-1 in the PL, are one game up on 7-2 Army.
Colgate finished 24-6 in 2022, with a 14-2 mark in Patriot League play. They won the Patriot League Tournament and lost 3-0 to Pittsburgh in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.
Gillian Hauschild leads the squad with 189 kills.
Colgate was picked first in the Patriot League League preseason poll. Abby Shadwick was selected for the preseason All-League Team.
Head Coach Ryan Baker enters his 18th season as head coach of the Colgate program. He has won three Patriot League crowns.
Bucknell is 23-47 against Colgate. The Bison have lost ten straight to the Hamilton, New York team.

Scouting Army/Series History

The Black Knights are 10-8 overall and 7-2 in PL play. They have only lost to Colgate and Lehigh in Patriot League play. The defeat to the Mountain Hawks was Army's most recent outing and it was a dramatic five-set battle.
Army finished 18-9 overall and 14-2 in the Patriot League in 2022 but were upset by Navy in the Patriot League Semifinals.
Savannah Bray leads the Black Knights with 151 kills.
The Black Knights of the Hudson were selected to finish second in the Patriot League Preseason Poll. They ranked two points behind leading vote receiver Colgate. Paige Fixemer received a slot on the All-League Preseason Team.
Head coach Alma Kovaci Lee is in her 17th season as the head general of the Army team with a career record of 311-162.
Bucknell is 14-46 all-time against Army. The Bison have lost the last 13 games and 30 out of 31 contests to the Black Knights of the Hudson.

Up Next

Bucknell returns home for crucial Patriot League games versus Loyola (Oct. 27) and Navy (Oct. 28).

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Bri Frazilus

Jordan Hardy

Catherine Jamison

Caleigh O'Connell

Sidney Shaffer