Saturday, September 14
Buffalo, N.Y.
12 p.m.
Bucknell University
7-1,0-0Patriot
3
vs
0
Youngstown State
4-5,0-0Horizon
1
2
3
F
Youngstown St.
17
19
16
0
Bucknell
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Lianne Garrahan
Volleyball Ties Best Start in Program History with Sweeps of Youngstown State & Niagara
9/14/2024 5:08:00 PM | Volleyball
NIAGARA, N.Y.- The Bucknell Bison volleyball team (8-1) tied its 2019 squad for the best start in program history by sweeping both the Youngstown State Penguins (4-5) and the host Niagara University Purple Eagles (2-6) to complete the Ellicott Hotels Western New York Invitational on Saturday. The Bison easily handled both opponents, clipping the Penguins's (25-17, 25-19, 25-16) and Purple Eagles's (25-14, 25-16, 25-19) wings. The results marked Bucknell's second-straight weekend sweep.
Junior Bri Frazilus combined for 28 kills in the two games, with 20 occurring against Niagara. It marked her highest kill total since producing 20 since Lafayette on Oct. 21, 2022. Sophomore Sidney Shaffer supplied 20 kills to assist in the offensive production.Â
Youngstown State Recap
The Bison blitzed to a 7-2 start in the first set establishing the tone for the entire match. The Penguins kept within shouting distance but with the score at 14-10 Bucknell, the Orange & Blue unleashed a 5-1 run to firmly break away from the Ohio-based foe. The two teams continued to duel but a 4-1 run fueled by three Tijana Kostic points won the set for Bucknell.Â
Bucknell once again stormed out to an early advantage in the second set, 6-3. This time, the Penguins were able to overcome the disadvantage and place Bucknell in a deficit at 12-10. The Bison used a 3-0 run to regain the lead before the teams ended up tied at 16-16. A 4-0 Bison run proved timely and provided a lead that would not be yielded. Another 4-0 stretch capped by a Kostic kill won the set.Â
The Penguins were desperate to avoid the sweep and bolted to a 3-0 start in the third set. Bucknell quickly recovered and use a 17-6, boosted an 8-1 segment to reserve the situation. The Bison increased the advantage to 23-14 when the Penguins tallied two points. Bucknell ended the situation and the game with two points.Â
Niagara Recap
The opening set began with a tightly-fought contest that suggested a see-saw five-set match and not a clean sweep. The Bison and Purple Eagles engaged in a back-and-forth confrontation which saw Niagara slip ahead 13-11. The lead was short-lived. Bucknell ripped off a 14-1 run to break spirits and win the set. A 10-0 stretch start the avalanche and the only Niagara point occurred on a Bucknell attack error.Â
Niagara scored the first point in set two but never led again as the Bison continued to impose their will upon the MAAC foe. The Purple Eagles cut the deficit to 17-14 before Bucknell used another huge run to effectively win the set. A 7-1 stretch prevented any comeback chance by the home team. A Frazilus kill ended the set in Bucknell's favor.Â
The Purple Eagles demonstrated great spirit and refused to go quietly, flying to a 4-1 lead in the final set. Bucknell's spirit proved early to the task and the Bison hustled ahead 7-5. Niagara rallied to regain the lead at 15-14. The Orange & Blue returned to its favorite tactic of a large run, using a 9-1 stretch to obtain the firm advantage. A Frazilus kill and a Niagara attack error ended the set and game.Â
Up Next
The Bison open home and Patriot League play next weekend with a Friday clash versus Holy Cross and a Saturday afternoon showdown versus Army.Â
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Junior Bri Frazilus combined for 28 kills in the two games, with 20 occurring against Niagara. It marked her highest kill total since producing 20 since Lafayette on Oct. 21, 2022. Sophomore Sidney Shaffer supplied 20 kills to assist in the offensive production.Â
Youngstown State Recap
The Bison blitzed to a 7-2 start in the first set establishing the tone for the entire match. The Penguins kept within shouting distance but with the score at 14-10 Bucknell, the Orange & Blue unleashed a 5-1 run to firmly break away from the Ohio-based foe. The two teams continued to duel but a 4-1 run fueled by three Tijana Kostic points won the set for Bucknell.Â
Bucknell once again stormed out to an early advantage in the second set, 6-3. This time, the Penguins were able to overcome the disadvantage and place Bucknell in a deficit at 12-10. The Bison used a 3-0 run to regain the lead before the teams ended up tied at 16-16. A 4-0 Bison run proved timely and provided a lead that would not be yielded. Another 4-0 stretch capped by a Kostic kill won the set.Â
The Penguins were desperate to avoid the sweep and bolted to a 3-0 start in the third set. Bucknell quickly recovered and use a 17-6, boosted an 8-1 segment to reserve the situation. The Bison increased the advantage to 23-14 when the Penguins tallied two points. Bucknell ended the situation and the game with two points.Â
Niagara Recap
The opening set began with a tightly-fought contest that suggested a see-saw five-set match and not a clean sweep. The Bison and Purple Eagles engaged in a back-and-forth confrontation which saw Niagara slip ahead 13-11. The lead was short-lived. Bucknell ripped off a 14-1 run to break spirits and win the set. A 10-0 stretch start the avalanche and the only Niagara point occurred on a Bucknell attack error.Â
Niagara scored the first point in set two but never led again as the Bison continued to impose their will upon the MAAC foe. The Purple Eagles cut the deficit to 17-14 before Bucknell used another huge run to effectively win the set. A 7-1 stretch prevented any comeback chance by the home team. A Frazilus kill ended the set in Bucknell's favor.Â
The Purple Eagles demonstrated great spirit and refused to go quietly, flying to a 4-1 lead in the final set. Bucknell's spirit proved early to the task and the Bison hustled ahead 7-5. Niagara rallied to regain the lead at 15-14. The Orange & Blue returned to its favorite tactic of a large run, using a 9-1 stretch to obtain the firm advantage. A Frazilus kill and a Niagara attack error ended the set and game.Â
Up Next
The Bison open home and Patriot League play next weekend with a Friday clash versus Holy Cross and a Saturday afternoon showdown versus Army.Â
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Team Stats
YSU
Buck
Kills
33
42
Errors
20
11
Attempts
137
132
Hitting %
.095
.235
Points
38.0
56.0
Assists
27
38
Aces
2
6
Blocks
3
8
Game Leaders
Kills
13
Aces
1
Blocks
4
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
7
Aces
2
Blocks
0
Kills
6
Aces
1
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
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