Photo by: Laurie Hays
Caleigh O'Connell Wins Patriot League Player of the Week
10/1/2024 12:00:00 PM | Volleyball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison volleyball team improved to 12-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play with a 2-0 weekend over Lafayette and Lehigh. Setter Caleigh O'Connell spearheaded the perfect weekend for the Orange & Blue. Her offensive and defensive efforts landed the junior her first-ever Patriot League Player of the Week. The award comes one day after O'Connell received Bison of the Week.Â
O'Connell was paramount for Bucknell. The setter collected 88 assists over the weekend and evenly divided the stats by supplying 44 in each game. Her efficiency was amazing against Lafayette by setting at a .506 clip. That proficiency led the Bison to a 3-0 sweep of the school from Easton. She added a defensive dimension against Lehigh when she collected 22 digs setting a career-high, as Bucknell downed the Mountain Hawks in four sets.Â
Her abilities weren't limited to setting and digs. She only committed one service error in 29 attempts. O'Connell provided five kills, including four against Lehigh, when she would fake a set and quickly send over a ball to the vacated zone left behind by the outfoxed defense. Overall, she totaled seven points in two games.Â
O'Connell ranks second in the Patriot League in assists per set with 9.17. She holds five of the top ten single-game assist marks in the Patriot League for the 2024 season. In three-set games, O'Connell swept the podium with amounts of 44, 44, and 41. For four-set contests, she remains #1 and #2.Â
Bucknell has been historically successful to start the campaign. After losing to Toledo in the opening game, the Bison have won 12-straight games, setting a program record winning streak. The Orange & Blue's win over Lehigh created the best start in program history at 12-1 and Bucknell moved to 4-0 in conference play for the first time since 2003.Â
Bison Volleyball has won two Player of the Week awards in 2024. Libero Jordan Hardy previously earned the honor on Sept. 10 after she set the program record for career digs.Â
The Bison and O'Connell return to action this weekend for the first conference road games of the 2024 season at American (Oct. 4) and Navy (Oct. 5). Bucknell hasn't started 6-0 in conference play since 1995.Â
O'Connell was paramount for Bucknell. The setter collected 88 assists over the weekend and evenly divided the stats by supplying 44 in each game. Her efficiency was amazing against Lafayette by setting at a .506 clip. That proficiency led the Bison to a 3-0 sweep of the school from Easton. She added a defensive dimension against Lehigh when she collected 22 digs setting a career-high, as Bucknell downed the Mountain Hawks in four sets.Â
Her abilities weren't limited to setting and digs. She only committed one service error in 29 attempts. O'Connell provided five kills, including four against Lehigh, when she would fake a set and quickly send over a ball to the vacated zone left behind by the outfoxed defense. Overall, she totaled seven points in two games.Â
O'Connell ranks second in the Patriot League in assists per set with 9.17. She holds five of the top ten single-game assist marks in the Patriot League for the 2024 season. In three-set games, O'Connell swept the podium with amounts of 44, 44, and 41. For four-set contests, she remains #1 and #2.Â
Bucknell has been historically successful to start the campaign. After losing to Toledo in the opening game, the Bison have won 12-straight games, setting a program record winning streak. The Orange & Blue's win over Lehigh created the best start in program history at 12-1 and Bucknell moved to 4-0 in conference play for the first time since 2003.Â
Bison Volleyball has won two Player of the Week awards in 2024. Libero Jordan Hardy previously earned the honor on Sept. 10 after she set the program record for career digs.Â
The Bison and O'Connell return to action this weekend for the first conference road games of the 2024 season at American (Oct. 4) and Navy (Oct. 5). Bucknell hasn't started 6-0 in conference play since 1995.Â
Players Mentioned
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