Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Nathanael LePage
Katie O'Sullivan Awarded Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week
10/20/2026 2:31:00 PM | Volleyball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Katie O'Sullivan anchored Bucknell's backline in the grueling five-set defeat to Holy Cross on Saturday and the voters noticed her stand by awarding the junior transfer Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week, as announced Tuesday by the conference office. The laurel marks O'Sullivan's first weekly award and the second won by a Bison in 2026. Marion Haskell won Rookie of the Week on Oct. 6.Â
O'Sullivan shoveled 36 digs against the Crusaders in five sets. The total represented a new season and career high for the libero, eclipsing her 28 digs earlier in the year against Lafayette. Her 36 digs were the second-most nationally on Saturday, trailing only the 39 digs of Robert Morris's Anahi Alvarado, and were the most in a Patriot League match this season.
The transfer from San Jose State has revitalized Bucknell's defensive effort. She has appeared in all 65 sets and collected 264 digs. Her 4.06 digs per set rank sixth in the Patriot League and 92nd nationally.Â
The Defensive Player of the Week award was established in 1995; discontinued in 2001; but resurrected in 2025. Bucknell has won four since its reestablishment, second-most in the conference to American's five. Historically, Bucknell paces the conference with 18 recipients.Â
Bucknell hosts Lehigh (Oct. 24) and Lafayette (Oct. 25) this weekend at Davis Gym.Â
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O'Sullivan shoveled 36 digs against the Crusaders in five sets. The total represented a new season and career high for the libero, eclipsing her 28 digs earlier in the year against Lafayette. Her 36 digs were the second-most nationally on Saturday, trailing only the 39 digs of Robert Morris's Anahi Alvarado, and were the most in a Patriot League match this season.
The transfer from San Jose State has revitalized Bucknell's defensive effort. She has appeared in all 65 sets and collected 264 digs. Her 4.06 digs per set rank sixth in the Patriot League and 92nd nationally.Â
The Defensive Player of the Week award was established in 1995; discontinued in 2001; but resurrected in 2025. Bucknell has won four since its reestablishment, second-most in the conference to American's five. Historically, Bucknell paces the conference with 18 recipients.Â
Bucknell hosts Lehigh (Oct. 24) and Lafayette (Oct. 25) this weekend at Davis Gym.Â
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Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ VolleyballSunday, October 18
Sunday, October 18
Saturday, October 17
Saturday, October 17