Volleyball Finishes Nonconference Play with Ellicott Hotels Western New York Invitational

Setting the Scene, Part I
Who: Bucknell (5-1) at Canisius (4-2)
When: Friday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m.
Where: Koessler Athletic Center – Buffalo, N.Y.
Live Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: gogriffs.com

Setting the Scene, Part II
Who: Bucknell (5-1) vs. Youngstown State (2-4)
When: Saturday, Sept. 14 at Noon
Where: Gallagher Center – Niagara University, N.Y.
Live Video: YouTube
Live Stats: purpleeagles.com

Setting the Scene, Part III
Who: Bucknell (5-1) at Niagara (2-4)
When: Saturday, Sept. 14 at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Gallagher Center – Niagara University, N.Y.
Live Stats: purpleeagles.com

About Bucknell

The Bison continued their sizzling start to the season with a 3-0 weekend at the Tribe Invitational. Bucknell outdueled William & Mary in a five-set march before sweeping George Mason & Quinnipiac. Bri Frazilus and Jordan Hardy were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Hardy set the program's record for career digs during the George Mason game. The senior libero surpassed Brandi Trapasso's previous total of 1588. Hardy finished with 1616 digs, which ranks ninth in Patriot League history.
Two of Bucknell's matches this weekend will be streamed. The Canisius game will be available on ESPN+ and the Youngstown State match will be held on YouTube. Live stats will be available for all three games. The links are in this preview and on the Bucknell volleyball schedule page.
Bucknell is 20-13 in non-conference matchups under Head Coach Tyler Hagstrom. In 2023, Bucknell went 4-5 in non-conference games against a challenging schedule. The 2022 Bison were 7-2 in non-conference games, including a 6-0 start. That start was the best in Bucknell's history.
The annual Patriot League preseason poll tabbed Bucknell to finish third. Reigning champion Colgate was picked to defend their crown. Bucknell ended Colgate's 33-game home winning streak last year in an epic five-set match.
Senior Jordan Hardy defended her title as the Preseason Libero of the Year. Hardy won the 2023 Patriot League Libero of the Year, the first time a Bison player won the honor. She and Catherine Jamison also become the first Orange & Blue players to win First Team All-Patriot League honors since Heidi Kemp in 2010. The libero won the first AVCA honor in Bucknell history when she earned AVCA Northeast All-Region Honorable Mention.
Hardy led the Patriot League in digs (537), 29 more than the nearest opposition, and digs per serve (5.54). Her digs per set mark ranked seventh nationally and she helped Bucknell finish third nationally in digs per set (17.84).
The Orange & Blue return a healthy core of players but did lose five pillars to graduation, including outside hitter and First Team All-Patriot League honoree Catherine Jamison and constant starter Libby Nieporte. Sophomore Sidney Shaffer, the 2023 Patriot League Rookie of the Year and member of the 2024 Patriot League Preseason Team with Hardy, returns to strengthen the Bucknell offense and defense. Along with the returners, the Bison greet three newcomers, Sarah Hilliard, Emily Kearney, and Bella Rodriguez to the team.
Hagstrom enters his fifth season at the helm of the Bison herd, having turned around a program mired in the Patriot League basement. He is joined by fourth-year assistant Jeremy Young.
Frazilus ranks tied for first in the Patriot League for kills per set (3.33).
Hardy leads the PL and slots 18th nationally in digs per set (5.00).

Scouting Canisius/Series History

Canisius is 4-2 on the season. They have feasted on NEC opposition, defeating Mercyhurst twice and Le Moyne once. NJIT was the other win. They fell to Patriot League foe Lafayette and ACC member Syracuse.
The Golden Griffins finished 10-16 overall and 8-10 in MAAC. They did not qualify for the conference tournament.
Head coach Tom Hanna enters his third season as the head Griff.
The Buffalo school was picked to finish eighth in the twelve-team MAAC.
None of their players received a preseason All-MAAC slot.
Bucknell is 11-4 all-time against Canisius and have won three straight matches against the Golden Griffs. Hagstrom is 2-0 against Canisius.

Scouting Youngstown State/Series History

The Penguins have skated on black ice, starting the season 2-4, losing to Eastern Kentucky, Morehead State, Sacred Heart, and UConn. They rallied to defeat LIU and Radford.
Youngstown State finished 9-20 overall and 4-14 in the Horizon League last year. They did not make the Horizon League Tournament.
Riley Jarrett starts her first year as head coach.
YSU was projected to finish last in the ten-team Horizon League. The HL does not select a preseason all-conference team.
Bucknell is 0-8 all-time versus Youngstown State. The series dates back to 1989 and been played intermittently with the last matchup occurring in 2022.

Scouting Niagara/Series History

The Purple Eagles are 2-4 with wins over Central Connecticut State and Robert Morris. They fell to Coppin State, Duquesne, Northeasten, and St. John's.
Niagara went 13-14 overall in 2023 but finished 12-6 in the MAAC. Their season ended in the MAAC Tournament with a sweep to Rider in the Quarterfinals. Niagara attended the Bucknell Invitational but did not face the Bison.
Ren Cefra enters his third season as head coach.
Niagara was selected to finish fifth in the MAAC Preseason Poll. Laryssa Imbuzeiro, a senior middle blocker, received a spot on the Preseason All-MAAC Team.
Bucknell is 8-3 all-time against Niagara and rides a two-game winning streak in the infrequently played series.

Up Next

Bucknell opens conference play in Davis Gym when Holy Cross (Sept. 20) and Army (Sept. 21) visit Lewisburg.

Volleyball Finishes Nonconference Play with Ellicott Hotels Western New York Invitational

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Bri Frazilus

Jordan Hardy

Jordan Hardy

Sarah Hilliard

Catherine Jamison

Emily Kearney

Libby Nieporte

Bella Rodriguez

Sidney Shaffer

Volleyball Finishes Nonconference Play with Ellicott Hotels Western New York Invitational

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Bri Frazilus

Jordan Hardy

Jordan Hardy

Sarah Hilliard

Catherine Jamison

Emily Kearney

Libby Nieporte

Bella Rodriguez

Sidney Shaffer

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