Bucknell University Athletics
Volleyball Collects Two Major Awards; Places Three On All-League Teams
11/13/2023 3:13:00 PM | Volleyball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- With the Bucknell Bison volleyball team (15-10, 11-5 PL) in the midst of an outstanding season and on the eve of hosting a postseason match for the first time in 23 years, the Patriot League coaches have taken notice, and decorated the Orange & Blue with a cornucopia of awards. Bucknell brought home two of the four major player awards and placed three players on All-League teams, the most since 2003 when four Bison dotted league squads. The Orange & Blue also collected multiple major awards for the first time since 2000. Bucknell finished tied for second in the Patriot League, its highest spot since 2003.
Junior Libero Jordan Hardy earned Libero of the Year, freshman middle blocker Sidney Shaffer grabbed Rookie of the Year, and senior outside hitter Catherine Jamison received First Team All-Patriot League.
"I am extremely proud of Cat, Jordan, and Sidney on their accomplishments this season," said head coach Tyler Hagstrom. "They have played excellent volleyball and each player has had a significant impact on the success of our team."
Hardy continued her ascendance and fulfilled the expectation of the Preseason Libero of the Year selection by winning Patriot League Libero of the Year. The junior powered the Bison back line with 526 digs and 5.60 digs per set to outpace all PL competition. Hardy moved up the Bison record book all season in career digs. She sits at second place with 1,500 digs and only requires 89 more digs to supplant first place from Brandi Trapasso. Her 526 digs in the 2023 season has her fourth all-time in single season digs. Nationally, Hardy ranks fourth and has Bucknell at second in digs per set. Hardy is Bucknell's first-ever Libero of the Year. Brandi Trapasso won Defensive Player of the Year, the precursor to the modern Libero award in 2000. Hardy also earned First Team distinction. She received Second Team honors in 2022.
Shaffer has made an impact on opponent's fortunes from her inaugural set. The California native has been an attacking force and a defensive bulwark. Her Patriot League Rookie of the Year selection makes her the second-straight Bison to win the award after Bri Frazilus won it in 2022 and the third overall. Brandi Trapasso earned the honor in 2000. Shaffer racked up 154 kills on an impressive .279 hitting percentage. The percentage ranks sixth in the PL loop, and she is four kills away from the top ten. Defensively, Shaffer places fourth in blocks per set (1.11) and fifth in overall blocks (89). With the Rookie of the Year nod comes a slot on the League's Second Team.
Jamison has been the team's vocal leader and her powerful swing has devastated opposition's ranks. Jamison has been the team's best closer, finalizing sets and games with a nuclear attack. Her 303 kills are fourth in the Patriot League and earned her a coveted First Team spot. Jamison has been a proficient scorer with 334 points, good for fifth-best in the PL. The Bison last had two First Team members in 2003 when Jackie Leahy and Trapasso were a dynamic duo. Hardy and Jamison are also the first Bison to receive a first team notch since Heidi Kamp was picked in 2010.
The Bison, as the No. 4 seed, play tomorrow at 7 p.m. against the No. 5 seed Navy in the Patriot League Quarterfinals. It is the first time Bucknell has hosted a PL Tournament game since 2000.
