Volleyball Storms Back to Stun Akron in Five Sets

LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison volleyball team (4-5, 0-0 PL) rallied from two sets down to defeat the Akron Zips (4-5, 0-0 MAC) in five sets (13-25, 24-26, 26-24, 25-22, 13-15). The Bison used Catherine Jamison's 12 kills and Sidney Shaffer's nine blocks to pull out the victory. It was Bucknell's first win from rallying down 2-0 in sets since the Bison defeated Navy on Nov. 13, 2022.

"We didn't start off the way we wanted, but it was great to see the team fight back and finish it at the end," said head coach Tyler Hagstrom. "We had some players step up with serving, which changed the momentum."

Recap

The first set was an inauspicious beginning for the Bison. Akron jumped out to a 6-1 lead and extended their advantage to 17-5. Bucknell fought the remainder of the set to an 8-8 deadlock, but Akron won it 25-13.

Bucknell skipped out to a 2-0 lead in the second set before Akron went on an 8-3 run. The Bison would counter to tie it at 9-9. It would be the final deadlock in the set until 24-24. Bucknell kept nipping at the Zips' heels for most of the set but the Rubber City squad kept the Orange & Blue at bay. With the score at 24-19, Bucknell rallied to tie it up at 24-24 on three Akron attacks and two service aces by Valentina Feigl. However, two straight Akron killed ended the set.

The Bison carried over the fighting spirit seen in the near win of set two into the third period. The team bolted out to 6-2 and 9-3 leads. Akron, sensing a chance to end the game, sprinted ahead 17-13 on a 14-4 run. Bucknell refused to surrender by battling back to a 22-21 deficit. Then, the Bison used a 3-0 run (kill, service ace, and attack error) to set up the match point. Akron, displaying its brand of tenacious behavior, tied the set at 24-24. Bucknell won the set 26-24, thanks to two Akron mishaps.

In the fourth set, the Bison roared out to 8-3 and 13-6 leads. With the score at 15-7, a fifth set seemed likely until Akron embarked on a 9-2 run. Bucknell regrew its advantage to four points (22-18), but the Zips again clawed back tying the set at 22-22. The Bison, led by Bri Frazilus' two kills and an Akron attack error, won the set 25-22 to knot the match at 2-2.

The fifth set was a fitting finale for a fantastic fight. The Bison overcame five attack errors to pull out the 15-13 win. Akron started the set 2-0, but Bucknell sneaked ahead 5-4 the Orange & Blue would never trail or tie the Zips again. Twice, Akron inched one point away from tying but Bucknell built a 13-8 lead. Victory looked assured when Bucknell was up 14-10 but Akron reusing the theme of the evening went on a 3-0 run. Jamison quickly ended the budding hope with a kill to give Bucknell the set and the match.

Up Next

The Bison play Harvard at 11 a.m. and Cleveland State at 5 p.m. tomorrow to conclude the weekend tournament.

Volleyball Storms Back to Stun Akron in Five Sets

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Team Stats

Catherine Jamison

Tijana Kostic

Bri Frazilus

Cameron Lloyd

Players Mentioned

Valentina Feigl

Bri Frazilus

Catherine Jamison

Sidney Shaffer