Volleyball Wins Sixth Straight Game in Five-Set Epic at Canisius

BUFFALO, N.Y.- The Bucknell Bison women's volleyball team (6-1) pulled out a 3-2 victory (25-18, 26-24, 23-25, 18-25, 15-10) over the Canisius Golden Griffins (4-4) after the home team rallied to tie the match and sent it to the fifth set. The Bison used a timely resurgence in the final set to record a win during the opening night of the Ellicott Hotels Western New York Invitational. Bucknell has now won six straight games since losing the opening match of the 2024 season.

Sidney Shaffer powered the Bison effort with a game-high 16 kills. Her assisted block with Tijana Kostic sealed the win in the fifth set. Kostic also played a decisive role with ten kills and 12 digs. Jordan Hardy supplied her usual defensive contribution with 21 digs.

The first set opened with the Golden Griffins protecting their domain via a 9-6 lead. Bucknell countered with a 7-1 movement to gain the advantage. Canisius tied the contest at 13-13 before the Bison pulled slightly at 18-17. Bucknell used another 7-1 run to win the opening salvo.

Canisius owned the early portion of the second set, growing a 11-3 advantage, while never trailing. Bucknell kept fighting but the Golden Griffs kept flying ahead of the hard-fighting Bison, despite the Orange & Blue team pulling within three points (15-18 & 19-22). The Bison used a mini-run of 4-1 punctuated by a Shaffer kill to tie the set at 23-23. Canisius grabbed the next tally setting up match point. Bucknell remained unfazed. A 3-0 run gave the Bison its first lead of the set and the victory. It was powered by two Shaffer kills and an attack error from Canisius.

The Bison faced a 24-23 deficit and used a 3-0 run to pull out the set win!

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— Bucknell Volleyball (@Bucknell_VB) September 13, 2024

Like in the second set, the Golden Griffs flew out to an early lead in the third stanza. Bucknell fought back and grabbed a 11-10 advantage. The Bison expanded its lead to 17-15 before the Griffs conjured up an 8-2 run. A 3-0 Bucknell run powered by two Kostic kills set another set two scenario where the Bison could grab the set and victory. It was not to be as Canisius found two more points to win the set.

The fourth set went back and forth in the early moments. Bucknell slightly edged ahead 6-5. Two Canisius runs of 6-0 and 8-0 bookmarked a 5-2 Bucknell spree. The 21-11 situation ensured a fifth set. The Bison did not go down halfheartedly undergoing a 6-2 run. But it was not enough as a Laura Caro service error ended the set.

Tensions were high in the final set. Bucknell scooted out to a 4-1 lead. Canisius battled back to tie the set at 6-6 and 8-8. The situation seemed primed for a nerve-wracking point-by-point finale but the Bison refused to allow such dramatics to unfold. A 7-2 run sealed the set and victory. Four Griffin attack errors, two Bison kills, and the Kostic/Shaffer block combo won the day.