Saturday, October 5
Annapolis, Md.
4 p.m.
Bucknell University
14-1,6-0Patriot
3
at
0
Navy
1-14,1-5Patriot
1
2
3
F
Bucknell
25
25
25
3
Navy
15
9
18
0
Photo by: Laurie Hays
Volleyball Sinks Navy; Ties Nation's Longest Active Winning Streak at 14 Games
10/5/2024 5:38:00 PM | Volleyball
ANNAPOLIS, Md.- After a thrilling five-set win against American University, the Bucknell Bison volleyball team (14-1, 6-0 Patriot League) avoided a letdown by sweeping the Navy Midshipmen (1-14, 1-5 Patriot League) in Patriot League action on Saturday afternoon. Bucknell controlled the match throughout winning 25-15, 25-9, and 25-18 to remain unbeaten in conference competition. The Bison have now won nine of its 14 wins by sweeping their opponents.Â
The Orange & Blue extends its program's best winning stretch to 14 games which ties South Dakota State for the nation's longest active winning streak. The No.1 Pittsburgh Panthers are 13-0 and play Syracuse tomorrow. The 6-0 start in conference play is the best beginning since the 1995 team went 6-0 in conference matches. Washington has also a 13-game winning streak and plays Wisconsin tomorrow.Â
Bucknell remains on top of the Patriot League standings with its perfect start. Reigning league champion Colgate sits at 5-0 and plays at Army tomorrow. The two teams will meet at Colgate on Oct. 13.Â
Every Bison win has been a balanced effort and today's triumph did not break that team-building habit. However, Tijana Kostic's efforts stand out as the junior collected six of the Bison's 17 service aces for a career high. Her hitting percentage was a sizzling .550, leading to a team-high 11 kills. Kostic has ably filled the set-ender role.Â
Reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year Sidney Shaffer provided her usual blocking prowess and offensive capabilities. Shaffer collected nine kills on a .412 hitting percentage and stonewalled five Navy attempts.Â
The Bison never trailed in the opening set. Navy did obtain one tie when the score was 2-2 but otherwise Bucknell started fast. The Bison built a 12-6 lead on a Cameron Lloyd kill before Navy ran off a 3-0 run. Bucknell did not panic and continued to lead. With the score at 19-13, the Bison ripped off a 6-2 run to win the set. Jordan Hardy collected the winning score when the Mids could not corral her dig that flew over the net.Â
The Orange & Blue extends its program's best winning stretch to 14 games which ties South Dakota State for the nation's longest active winning streak. The No.1 Pittsburgh Panthers are 13-0 and play Syracuse tomorrow. The 6-0 start in conference play is the best beginning since the 1995 team went 6-0 in conference matches. Washington has also a 13-game winning streak and plays Wisconsin tomorrow.Â
Bucknell remains on top of the Patriot League standings with its perfect start. Reigning league champion Colgate sits at 5-0 and plays at Army tomorrow. The two teams will meet at Colgate on Oct. 13.Â
Every Bison win has been a balanced effort and today's triumph did not break that team-building habit. However, Tijana Kostic's efforts stand out as the junior collected six of the Bison's 17 service aces for a career high. Her hitting percentage was a sizzling .550, leading to a team-high 11 kills. Kostic has ably filled the set-ender role.Â
Reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year Sidney Shaffer provided her usual blocking prowess and offensive capabilities. Shaffer collected nine kills on a .412 hitting percentage and stonewalled five Navy attempts.Â
Bucknell hit a blistering .344 while holding Navy to .134. Not surprisingly, the Bison doubled up Navy in kills, 45-20. The 45 kills are the tenth-most in the Patriot League this season for a three-set game.ÂStonewall Shaffer with the BIG BLOCK!
— Bucknell Volleyball (@Bucknell_VB) October 5, 2024
Bucknell leads early! Navy calls timeout.
Watch: @ESPN | @PatriotLeagueHQ #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/qVlz5ElFAy
The Bison never trailed in the opening set. Navy did obtain one tie when the score was 2-2 but otherwise Bucknell started fast. The Bison built a 12-6 lead on a Cameron Lloyd kill before Navy ran off a 3-0 run. Bucknell did not panic and continued to lead. With the score at 19-13, the Bison ripped off a 6-2 run to win the set. Jordan Hardy collected the winning score when the Mids could not corral her dig that flew over the net.Â
Bucknell never trailed in the second set either. The 25-9 mark disguised a tense early segment. A fast 5-1 start looked promising for the Bison. Navy counterattacked to deadlock the score at 6-6. With the Orange & Blue leading 8-7, Bucknell used one of its patented long runs to break away. A 9-0 stretch effectively seal the set for Bucknell. The Mids collected two points to temporarily gain some reliefs. It was for naught as the Bison unloaded an 8-0 volley on the Midshipmen. A Kostic service ace fittingly ended the set.ÂA kill from a Libero!
— Bucknell Volleyball (@Bucknell_VB) October 5, 2024
Rare but it works!
Watch: @ESPN | @PatriotLeagueHQ #rayBucknell | #PLTop3 pic.twitter.com/cBV9VWpTqO
The Bison were determined not to let the game go past the third set but Navy scored the opening point for its first lead. Bucknell shook off the novel feeling of trailing and dashed ahead 10-6. Navy quickly tied it up with a 4-0 run. The teams traded points until Navy sneaked ahead 15-13 at the media timeout. The Mids led 17-16 when the Orange & Blue unlocked a 7-0 stretch to seize the advantage. Navy got a single point on a Lloyd attack error but immediately returned it via a service error. A Shaffer kill emphatically sealed the sweep.Kostic's SIXTH service ace clinches the 25-9 set win!
— Bucknell Volleyball (@Bucknell_VB) October 5, 2024
Seeking the sweep!
Watch: @ESPN | @PatriotLeagueHQ #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/mWrSCljJ4u
Bucknell returns home to defend Davis Gym on Oct. 12 against the visiting Loyola (Md.) Greyhounds. Then the next day the Bison head to Colgate to face the Raiders.ÂVICTORY!
— Bucknell Volleyball (@Bucknell_VB) October 5, 2024
SHAFFER WITH THE EMPHATIC KILL!
WE TIED THE NATION'S LONGEST ACTIVE WINNING STREAK WITH 14 STRAIGHT TRIUMPHS! @ESPN | @PatriotLeagueHQ@NCAAVolleyball #rayBucknell pic.twitter.com/YU9FKq5OTh
Team Stats
Buck
Navy
Kills
45
20
Errors
12
9
Attempts
96
82
Hitting %
.344
.134
Points
67.0
26.0
Assists
38
19
Aces
17
4
Blocks
5
2
Game Leaders
Kills
11
Aces
6
Blocks
1
Kills
9
Aces
2
Blocks
4
Kills
9
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
L
/ Volleyball
OPP
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
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