Volleyball Swept by Army

WEST POINT, N.Y.- Bucknell volleyball's five-game winning streak was halted Saturday afternoon after being swept by the Army Black Knights (13-11, 9-6 Patriot League). The Bison were defeated by identical scores of 22-25 in the first two sets and then lost the final stanza 28-26. Bucknell fell to 20-3 overall and, more importantly, dropped to 12-2 in conference play. Colgate swept Lehigh improving to 13-2, a half game ahead of the Bison in the league standings.

The Bison only lost by eight combined points and the stats reflect the closeness in play. Army hit .228 to Bucknell's .225. The Bison led 47-44 in kills, however, nine Bison service errors proved critical.

Bri Frazilus again led the team in kills with 14. The reigning Patriot League Player of the Week has been on a hot streak with games of 10+ kills. Tijana Kostic and Sidney Shaffer both supplied nine kills. Caleight O'Connell supplied an amazing 40 assists, fourth-most in a three-set game in the Patriot League. O'Connell also holds the top three marks.

Bucknell scored the opening point in the first set and led 11-9 at one point before Army flipped the switch. A 7-1 run gave the Black Knights a lead that they would not yield. The Bison cut the deficit to 18-17 on a Jordan Hardy service ace but a 3-0 Army segment ensured it would not move any closer.

The second set started promising for the Bison of the Susquehanna with several leads including a high-water mark of 13-8 until the Black Knights of the Hudson ruined the fun late. Army kept cutting at the advantage but the Bison remained several points ahead as the team inched closer to the 25-point mark. West Point made its tactical attack when the score was 20-18 Bucknell. A 7-2 Army charge grabbed the set for the Bison.

The Bison were still reeling in the third set as Army galloped to a 5-0 lead. Bucknell recovered and tied the game at 6-6. The teams played on even terms for most of the set with neither squad going ahead by more than two points until Bucknell went up 19-16. Army remained behind and with the score at 23-20 the game looked ready for a fourth set. A 4-0 Black Knight run had Army looking for game point. Two Army attack errors gave Bucknell the chance at set point. The chance vanished under the hooves of a 4-1 Army segment. The final kill ended the Bison's five-game winning streak.

Bucknell completes regular season play next weekend with two games. The Bison travel to Loyola (Md.) Friday for a 7 p.m. clash with the Greyhounds and then travel back home for a Senior Day showdown ar 4 p.m. with Colgate with likely the conference title and tournament hosting on the line. Fans need to come out and pack Davis Gym!

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Team Stats

Bri Frazilus

Tijana Kostic

Sidney Shaffer

Riley Tucker

Players Mentioned

Bri Frazilus

Jordan Hardy

Tijana Kostic

Sidney Shaffer