Bison Collar Runnin' Bulldogs to Win First Game of the Season

LYNCHBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison volleyball team concluded the Liberty Tournament with a dramatic 3-1 win (27-25, 24-26, 25-15, 25-19) over the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs. The Bison set the tone in the first set by staging a massive rally to win 27-25 and used the momentum to carry the team to a victory.

Jordan Hardy, the Patriot League Preseason Libero of the Year, led the way with 28 digs and 2022 Patriot League Rookie of the Year Bri Frazilus recorded 15 kills to lead the Bison attack.

"We displayed some resilience and toughness today after a hard day yesterday," said head coach Tyler Hagstrom. "We finished strong in this game, we are improving, and we are looking forward to next weekend's Bison Invitational."

Recap

The Runnin' Bulldogs raced out to a 4-1 lead to start the game, but Bucknell proved resilient, undertaking a 10-4 run to seize the lead. The Bison extended its margin to 16-12 before Gardner-Webb tore off an 8-1 run. With the score at 24-21, the Runnin' Bulldogs had the chance to win the set, but the Bison rallied using three GW errors and a Sidney Shaffer kill to take the 25-24 lead. Gardner-Webb tied it up, but Bucknell remained undaunted. Catherine Jamison recorded a kill, and an attack error by a Bulldog gave the set to Bucknell.

The second set started like the first one, with the Runnin' Bulldogs grabbing an early lead. This time, the margin was 6-1. Bucknell battled back, but the margin remained at five (20-15) when the Bison stampeded into the lead. Three attack errors and three kills gave the Orange & Blue a 21-20 lead. GW regained the advantage, and Bucknell tied it up at 23-23. Each team recorded a point, and GW scored two straight to win the second set.

In the third set, Gardner-Webb continued their trend of quick starts, but Bucknell countered to tie the set at 11-11. Then Bucknell brought out the thunder, going on an 11-0 run to effectively seal the set. The Bison used six attack errors, three kills, and two service aces from Cameron Lloyd to power the rally. Jaminson recorded two of the three kills, and Libby Nieporte provided the other one. With the score at 23-12, GW went on a mini-run of 3-0, but the Bison calmly scored two more points to win 25-15.

Bucknell displayed no concerns in their first fourth set of the season, jumping out to a 5-3 lead. GW counterattacked to go up 8-5. The Runnin' Bulldogs slowly but surely increased their lead to 14-11 before the Bison used a 7-3 run to grab an 18-17 advantage. The Bison scored four straight points on three kills and an attack error. GW got within 23-19 before two kills by Frazilus, and Jamison won the set and the match for Bucknell.

Notes

The Bison improved to 2-0 all-time against Gardner-Webb. Bucknell defeated the North Carolina school in 2022.

Cameron Lloyd recorded three service aces.

Laura Caro and Caleigh O'Connell had 50 of the Bison's 53 assists.

Bison Collar Runnin' Bulldogs to Win First Game of the Season

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Team Stats

Bri Frazilus

Libby Nieporte

Catherine Jamison

Riley Tucker

Players Mentioned

Laura Caro

Bri Frazilus

Jordan Hardy

Catherine Jamison

Cameron Lloyd

Libby Nieporte

Caleigh O'Connell

Sidney Shaffer