Volleyball to Host First Patriot League Tournament Game Since 2000

Tuesday, November 14

Lewisburg, Pa.

7 p.m.

Bucknell University

Navy (PL Quarterfinals)

Photo by: Lauren Medeiros

Volleyball to Host First Patriot League Tournament Game Since 2000

11/12/2023 1:30:00 PM | Volleyball

Setting the Scene, Part II
Who: #5 Navy (17-8, 9-7 PL) at #4 Bucknell (15-10, 11-5 PL)
When: Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
Where: Davis Gym – Lewisburg, Pa.
Live Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

About Bucknell

Last Saturday, the Bison fell in straight sets to American. The game decided the final seeding for the upcoming Patriot League Tournament. The loss placed Bucknell as the No. 4 seed. The Bison would have clinched the No. 2 slot with a win as Army fell to its rival Navy. American gained the No. 3 seed with the victory. Colgate grabbed the No. 1 seed, and Army will be the No. 2 seed. The defeat snapped Bucknell's eight-game winning streak. Tijana Kostic led the team with ten kills. Bucknell fell to 15-10 overall and 11-5 in Patriot League competition. The Bison finished tied for second place with Army and American. It is the highest regular season PL placement for Bucknell since 2003.
Bucknell will play fifth-seed Navy on Tuesday. The contest will be streamed on ESPN+, and live stats will be available. The links are in this preview and on the Bucknell volleyball schedule page.
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. Hagstrom passed Victoria May for fourth-most career wins in school history.
Bucknell ranks second nationally in digs per set (17.78).
Jordan Hardy currently leads the Patriot League in digs per set (5.62) and ranks fifth nationally.
Hardy recently moved to second all-time for career digs in Bucknell history. She has 1,500 in her tenure and is 88 digs away from tying Brandi Trapasso for the record.
Hardy has 526 digs on the season, which places her fourth all-time in Bucknell single-season history. She is three away from passing Susie Teitsworth's 1995 season for third.
Sidney Shaffer is sixth (.279) in the PL for hitting percentage.
Jamison continues her sensational senior season as fourth in kills (303) and fifth in points (334.5) in the PL.
The Bison swept the PL weekly awards on Oct. 24 for the first time since 2000. Jamison won Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week, and Shaffer took home Patriot League Rookie of the Week. Jamison's honor was the first time for a Bison player since 2018, and Shaffer picked up her second Rookie of the Week award.

Scouting Navy/Series History

The Midshipmen are 17-8 overall and 9-7 in PL play. They swept Power Five members Maryland and Syracuse. Last weekend, Navy defeated its rival Army to conclude the regular season. Navy enters the tournament on a three-match winning streak, but they are 2-5 in conference road games.
Navy finished 16-12 overall and 11-5 in the Patriot League in 2022. They lost in the Patriot League Championship Game to Colgate.
Twin sisters Jaime and Jordan Llewellyn lead the team in kills with 298 and 335. The duo are 3rd (Jordan) and 7th (Jamie) in the PL for kills.
Navy was selected to finish third in the Patriot League Preseason Poll. Averi Miller notched Preseason Setter of the Year.
Head coach Paco Labrador is in his 6th season in command.
Bucknell is 24-39 all-time against Navy. The two teams split the regular season series, with both winning on their home courts.

Up Next

Should the Bison win, they will play No. 1 Colgate or No. 2 Army on Friday, depending on the outcome of the other quarterfinal match. Colgate will host both semifinal games. A loss ends Bucknell's best season since 2006.