Friday, September 19
Lewisburg, Pa.
7 p.m.
Bucknell University
4-6,1-0Patriot
3
vs
1
Lehigh
6-4,0-1Patriot
1
2
3
4
F
Lehigh
25
23
16
23
1
Bucknell
23
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Julianna Hall/Binghamton Athletics
Volleyball Commences Patriot League Play with Four Set Win over Lehigh
9/19/2025 9:26:00 PM | Volleyball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell Volleyball (4-6, 1-0 Patriot League) began conference play with a win for the second consecutive season by defeating Keystone State rival Lehigh (6-4, 0-1 Patriot League) in four sets (23-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-23) on Friday night. The Bison and Mountain Hawks fought a tightly contested match that featured 38 ties and 15 lead changes. The Orange & Blue have now won five straight matches over the Brown & White.Â
Tijana Kostic collected her now usual double-double with 14 kills and 10 digs. Bella Rodriguez also reaped 14 kills. Riley Tucker was the third Bison with double-digit kills (10), many of which came at crucial junctions. Caleigh O'Connell played an exceptional setter, providing 43 assists. Cameron Lloyd averaged nearly eight digs per set, finishing with 27.Â
Bucknell edged Lehigh 55-51 in kills and 72-63 in digs. The Bison hit .208 to Lehigh's paltry .136.Â
The first set was one of three stanzas to finish 25-23 - a testament to the closely knitted contest. Lehigh controlled the early beginnings, opening up leads of 8-5 and 12-8. The Bison fought back multiple times only to see Lehigh remain ahead. Down 17-13, Bucknell rallied for a 6-1 run. The teams started trading points and the score was tied at 22-22. Lehigh finished the set on a 3-1 run.Â
Neither team achieved much separation in the second set with the squads exchanging points like baseball cards. Lehigh forged ahead 21-18 and looked ready to seize the 2-0 advantage. A 4-0 Bison run ended those dreams. Lehigh called timeout but the momentum was too great. Bucknell continued to attack and kills by Kostic and Rodriguez won the set.Â
The Bison dominated the third set after a shaky start. Bucknell went on a 9-3 run with the score 10-9 Bison. The Mountain Hawks never flew closer. The Orange & Blue continued to stack points and won the set 25-16 on a Lehigh attack error.Â
The fourth set was all Lehigh to start with the Mountain Hawks speeding to 4-0 and 6-1 leads. Bucknell evaporated the advantage via another 6-1 run. The teams traded points until Bucknell went up 18-16. Lehigh regained the lead on a 4-1 stretch. Bucknell promptly responded and sat at match point with a 24-21 lead. Lehigh kept desolation at bay scoring two points but Rodriguez scored a kill to win it. Lehigh challenged the play, but the challenge lasted under 30 seconds and Bucknell celebrated its victory.Â
Bucknell continues facing Keystone State rivals when the Bison travel this Sunday to Lafayette to face the Leopards in their Easton lair. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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Tijana Kostic collected her now usual double-double with 14 kills and 10 digs. Bella Rodriguez also reaped 14 kills. Riley Tucker was the third Bison with double-digit kills (10), many of which came at crucial junctions. Caleigh O'Connell played an exceptional setter, providing 43 assists. Cameron Lloyd averaged nearly eight digs per set, finishing with 27.Â
Bucknell edged Lehigh 55-51 in kills and 72-63 in digs. The Bison hit .208 to Lehigh's paltry .136.Â
The first set was one of three stanzas to finish 25-23 - a testament to the closely knitted contest. Lehigh controlled the early beginnings, opening up leads of 8-5 and 12-8. The Bison fought back multiple times only to see Lehigh remain ahead. Down 17-13, Bucknell rallied for a 6-1 run. The teams started trading points and the score was tied at 22-22. Lehigh finished the set on a 3-1 run.Â
Neither team achieved much separation in the second set with the squads exchanging points like baseball cards. Lehigh forged ahead 21-18 and looked ready to seize the 2-0 advantage. A 4-0 Bison run ended those dreams. Lehigh called timeout but the momentum was too great. Bucknell continued to attack and kills by Kostic and Rodriguez won the set.Â
The Bison dominated the third set after a shaky start. Bucknell went on a 9-3 run with the score 10-9 Bison. The Mountain Hawks never flew closer. The Orange & Blue continued to stack points and won the set 25-16 on a Lehigh attack error.Â
The fourth set was all Lehigh to start with the Mountain Hawks speeding to 4-0 and 6-1 leads. Bucknell evaporated the advantage via another 6-1 run. The teams traded points until Bucknell went up 18-16. Lehigh regained the lead on a 4-1 stretch. Bucknell promptly responded and sat at match point with a 24-21 lead. Lehigh kept desolation at bay scoring two points but Rodriguez scored a kill to win it. Lehigh challenged the play, but the challenge lasted under 30 seconds and Bucknell celebrated its victory.Â
Bucknell continues facing Keystone State rivals when the Bison travel this Sunday to Lafayette to face the Leopards in their Easton lair. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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Team Stats
Lehigh
Buck
Kills
51
55
Errors
29
23
Attempts
162
154
Hitting %
.136
.208
Points
65.0
66.0
Assists
46
49
Aces
3
3
Blocks
11
8
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
14
Aces
2
Blocks
0
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
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