Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Steven Schoenfelder
Volleyball Falls to Holy Cross' Fifth Set Rally
10/17/2026 6:37:00 PM | Volleyball
WORCESTER, Mass.- Bucknell (7-11, 4-5 Patriot League) rallied to force a fifth set, held a 7-3 lead in said stanza, but fell to a determined Holy Cross (10-11, 4-5 Patriot League) squad in conference action on Saturday afternoon. It marked Bucknell's second straight loss and third consecutive defeat.Â
The Bison won the first set 25-19. The Crusaders clinched the next two sets, 25-22 and 25-21, before the Orange & Blue won the fourth set 25-22. Holy Cross conquered the winner-take-all set, 15-13.Â
Neither team was particularly efficient on offense. Holy Cross hit .140 and Bucknell hit .128. The Bison collected 52 kills to the Crusaders' 56.Â
Sidney Shaffer paced the Bison with 16 kills and added four blocks for a total of 20 points. Holy Cross' Emma Sorensen led all players with 21 kills.
Katie O'Sullivan shoveled a season-high 36 digs, as part of Bucknell's 97. Cameron Lloyd recorded a double-double with ten kills and 15 digs.Â
The fifth set produced enough drama for a Republic serial. Bucknell skated to a 7-3 lead, fueled by Holy Cross attack errors and Bison blocks. The teams exchanged two points each, a transition that suited Bucknell's purposes. Then, the Crusaders charged, like their monikers at Antioch, with a decisive 7-1 run. Four points during the run came via blocks. Bucknell refused to yield and fought back to within 14-13 on Lloyd and Shaffer blocks and a Shaffer kill. The Purple & White closed out the game on a Sorensen's 21st kill, as three Bison couldn't corral the attack.Â
Bucknell started the game on a hopeful note with the set one win. The Bison trailed 17-15 when the Orange & Blue ripped off a 6-1 run. Holy Cross answered once but a Lloyd kill capped the 25-19 set victory.Â
The two teams were tied 17-17 in the second set before Holy Cross reeled off an 8-5 run, keyed to Bucknell's errors in receiving and serving. The Bison led 16-15 in the third set until Holy Cross ripped off another clutch run. Two reception errors on Lloyd and an Isabella Charlton service error keyed the stretch. Bucknell's rally fell short, as the Purple & White won 25-21.Â
The Orange & Blue forced a fifth set, despite prospects looking dicey. Bucknell trailed 14-10 before the Bison scored a 7-0 volleyball touchdown. Three Peyton McGee aces powered the performance. Holy Cross rallied to retake a 19-18 lead. A 4-0 Bucknell run regained the advantage and the Bison held on for the 25-22 win.Â
Bucknell returns home to Davis Gym to face Lehigh (Oct. 24) and Lafayette (Oct. 25).Â
The Bison won the first set 25-19. The Crusaders clinched the next two sets, 25-22 and 25-21, before the Orange & Blue won the fourth set 25-22. Holy Cross conquered the winner-take-all set, 15-13.Â
Neither team was particularly efficient on offense. Holy Cross hit .140 and Bucknell hit .128. The Bison collected 52 kills to the Crusaders' 56.Â
Sidney Shaffer paced the Bison with 16 kills and added four blocks for a total of 20 points. Holy Cross' Emma Sorensen led all players with 21 kills.
Katie O'Sullivan shoveled a season-high 36 digs, as part of Bucknell's 97. Cameron Lloyd recorded a double-double with ten kills and 15 digs.Â
The fifth set produced enough drama for a Republic serial. Bucknell skated to a 7-3 lead, fueled by Holy Cross attack errors and Bison blocks. The teams exchanged two points each, a transition that suited Bucknell's purposes. Then, the Crusaders charged, like their monikers at Antioch, with a decisive 7-1 run. Four points during the run came via blocks. Bucknell refused to yield and fought back to within 14-13 on Lloyd and Shaffer blocks and a Shaffer kill. The Purple & White closed out the game on a Sorensen's 21st kill, as three Bison couldn't corral the attack.Â
Bucknell started the game on a hopeful note with the set one win. The Bison trailed 17-15 when the Orange & Blue ripped off a 6-1 run. Holy Cross answered once but a Lloyd kill capped the 25-19 set victory.Â
The two teams were tied 17-17 in the second set before Holy Cross reeled off an 8-5 run, keyed to Bucknell's errors in receiving and serving. The Bison led 16-15 in the third set until Holy Cross ripped off another clutch run. Two reception errors on Lloyd and an Isabella Charlton service error keyed the stretch. Bucknell's rally fell short, as the Purple & White won 25-21.Â
The Orange & Blue forced a fifth set, despite prospects looking dicey. Bucknell trailed 14-10 before the Bison scored a 7-0 volleyball touchdown. Three Peyton McGee aces powered the performance. Holy Cross rallied to retake a 19-18 lead. A 4-0 Bucknell run regained the advantage and the Bison held on for the 25-22 win.Â
Bucknell returns home to Davis Gym to face Lehigh (Oct. 24) and Lafayette (Oct. 25).Â
Players Mentioned
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/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
S/OPP
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballSunday, October 18
Sunday, October 18
Saturday, October 17
Saturday, October 17