Volleyball Unlocks Best Start in Program History with Four-Set Victory over Lehigh

LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison volleyball team (12-1, 4-0 Patriot) completed a 4-0 homestand with a 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-16) victory over the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (9-5, 2-2 Patriot) on Sunday afternoon. The Bison dropped the opening set but rallied to take down their fellow Pennsylvania school, adding to its program-record winning streak of 12 games and unlocking the best start in school history. The previous best beginning in program history was in 2019 when Bucknell started 11-2. The Orange & Blue improved to 4-0 in conference play for the first season since 2003.

Bucknell used its typical balanced effort to win the game. Bri Frazilus led the way with 16 kills followed by Cameron Lloyd's 14 and Sidney Shaffer's 10. Riley Tucker was efficient, hitting .375 and adding eight kills. Tijana Kostic also provided eight kills.

Jordan Hardy played excellent defense collecting 26 digs, improving to 1,742 all-time and moving her into fifth place in Patriot League history past Lehigh's Emily Develle, who gathered 1,721 from 2015-18.

Caleigh O'Connell supplied 44 assists and halted opponent attacks with 22 digs, a career high for the junior setter.

The Bison opened the first set with a 7-2 advantage and remained ahead 12-7 before the Mountain Hawks inched closer and closer at 15-14. A Tucker kill restored the two-point cushion until Lehigh went ahead 17-16. The two teams started trading points until it was 22-22. The Mountain Hawks ended the set with a 3-0 run via two kills and a Bucknell attack error.

The second stanza started evenly fought with the squads battling to a 7-7 gridlock. The Bison unleashed a 6-0 run powered by three Lehigh attack errors, two Lloyd kills, and a Kostic service ace. The Mountain Hawks were game and again crept with 15-14. Bucknell was determined and regrew its advantage to 19-15. The Bison remained ahead but Lehigh would sneak within one point four more times until a Frazilus kill and an attack error by the visitors ended the set, 25-22 Bucknell.

Bucknell began the third set up 4-1 before the Mountain Hawks rallied ahead 11-9. The Bison used a mini-run of 3-0 to regain the lead. Lehigh tied the game twice but Bucknell avoided falling behind and went up 20-16. The Mountain Hawks flew within 24-22 but a Kostic kill emphatically ended the set, 25-22 Bucknell.

The final set remained on even terms through the first 22 points. Neither team could escape each other and the score was knotted at 11-11. Bucknell went on a 6-1 run gaining some separation. Lehigh rebounded with three straight points. In response, Bucknell essentially put the set and game away with a 4-0 run. Lehigh obtained a kill but it was brief relief as Bucknell replied with another a 4-0 run capped by a Shaffer kill to win the set and match.

The Bison head to American (Oct. 4) and Navy (Oct. 5) next weekend for the first conference road games of 2024.

Volleyball Unlocks Best Start in Program History with Four-Set Victory over Lehigh

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Team Stats

Bri Frazilus

Cameron Lloyd

Sidney Shaffer

Tijana Kostic

Players Mentioned

Bri Frazilus

Jordan Hardy

Tijana Kostic

Cameron Lloyd

Caleigh O'Connell

Sidney Shaffer

Riley Tucker