Volleyball Sets Program Record for Conference Wins in Sweep of Holy Cross

WORCESTER, Mass.- Another game and another milestone for the 2024 Bucknell Bison volleyball team (20-2, 12-1 Patriot League) as the Orange & Blue routed the Holy Cross Crusaders (2-20, 0-14 Patriot League) in straight sets (25-12, 25-11, 25-17) on Friday night for its 20th win and 12th conference victory. The triumph set a new program record shattering the previous standard of 11 league wins established by the 2003 and 2023 teams. Holy Cross fought gallantly but were no match for the hard-charging Bison which extended their winning streak to five games all via sweeps.

The destruction of Holy Cross highlights the impressive program building by head coach Tyler Hagstrom as the foe never led and there was only one tie. Bucknell hit a solid .382 with Riley Tucker collecting seven kills on a blistering .778 average. Reigning Patriot League Player of the Week Bri Frazilus grabbed 13 kills on a .600 hitting percentage. Caleigh O'Connell provided 31 assists. Jordan Hardy found eight digs to move past the 1,900 mark (1,901).

The Bison now have 15 sweeps on the season matching the 1995 team for second-most in program history. The 1983 team holds the standard with 17. Nine of Bucknell's 12 Patriot League triumphs have come via the sweep.

Bucknell wasted little time allowing the Crusaders the luxury of hope by driving to a 5-0 start. Holy Cross did cut the deficit to 8-6 before Bucknell pulled off a patented long run to put the matter to bed. A 11-6 run ensured plenty of separation. The home team tabbed a point before a 5-0 Bucknell run perfectly ended the first set on a poetic note.

The second set repeated the pattern with Bucknell posting a strong start. The 8-0 beginning ended any Holy Cross chance. The Bison's biggest lead was a 20-7 edge. Holy Cross traded a few points to make into double digits but the deal was suitable to the Bison's ends with the 25-11 finish coming on a Crusader serving error.

Holy Cross tied the third set at 1-1 but then the Bison asserted themselves galloping to a 14-5 lead and then extending the advantage to 22-11. To the Crusaders's credit, they channeled the mighty spirit of their righteous moniker and never stopped fighting. A 6-0 Holy Cross run, filled with rallies and blocks, threatened to make things dicey. Hagstrom recognized the danger and called timeout. The tactic worked perfectly. Two kills by O'Connell and Sidney Shaffer and a Tijana Kostic service ace ended the set and game.

The win was crucial for the Bison as Colgate remained a half game behind Bucknell by sweeping Lafayette. The two teams are destined for a regular season finale meeting in Lewisburg on Nov. 16.

The Bison complete the two-game road weekend with a Saturday showdown at Army. The opening serve is scheduled for 4 p.m. The Banks of the Hudson are a dangerous jousting field; the Black Knights have already upset second-place Colgate at West Point. Bucknell beat Army earlier this year in four-sets at home. Last season, the Bison defeated Army at West Point for the first time since 2003. The Orange & Blue's last two-game winning streak against West Point was in 2006.

Volleyball Sets Program Record for Conference Wins in Sweep of Holy Cross

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Team Stats

Bri Frazilus

Riley Tucker

Tijana Kostic

Sidney Shaffer

Players Mentioned

Bri Frazilus

Jordan Hardy

Tijana Kostic

Caleigh O'Connell

Sidney Shaffer

Riley Tucker