Volleyball Faces American & Holy Cross in Weekend Tilts

Saturday, October 10

Lewisburg, Pa.

4 p.m.

Bucknell University

American

Photo by: Jon Hertzler

Volleyball Faces American & Holy Cross in Weekend Tilts

10/8/2026 12:32:00 PM | Volleyball

Setting the Scene, Part I
Who: Bucknell (7-8, 3-3 PL) vs. American (11-4, 6-0 PL)
When: Saturday, Oct. 10 at 4 p.m.
Where: Davis Gym - Lewisburg, Pa.
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

Setting the Scene, Part II
Who: Bucknell (7-8, 3-3 PL) vs. Holy Cross (8-11, 1-5 PL)
When: Sunday, Oct. 11 at 2 p.m.
Where: Davis Gym - Lewisburg, Pa.
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: bucknellbison.com

About Bucknell

Bucknell continues its home stretch with two matches against contrasting opponents in league-leading American and next-to-last place Holy Cross. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+. Live Stats links for both contests can be found on the Bucknell Volleyball schedule page.
The Bison enjoyed its best weekend of 2026 with a pair of victories over Army and Colgate. The Orange & Blue dehorsed the Black Knights in four sets and then outlasted the Raiders in a five-set thriller.
The win over Colgate marked the first time in 20 years that Bucknell won back-to-back matches over the Raiders.
The Bison were selected to finish sixth and nab the final spot in the conference tournament in the preseason poll. Defending champions American was picked to retain its crown.
Bucknell went 12-14 overall and 9-7 in conference play in 2025. The season ended with a 3-2 defeat in the Patriot League First Round to Navy.
Graduation thinned the Bison ranks. 2024 Patriot League Setter of the Year Caleigh O'Connell headlined the departures. Other notable losses included backup setter Laura Caro, First Team All-Patriot League member Bri Frazilus, Second Team All-Patriot League honoree Tijana Kostic, and prominent middle blocker Riley Tucker, who graduated early and transferred to Tulane.
Plenty of talent remains in Lewisburg with two-time First Team All-Patriot League recipient Sidney Shaffer - the preeminent middle blocker in the conference. Shaffer was Bucknell's sole entry on the 2026 Patriot League Preseason Team. Cameron Lloyd switches back to outside hitter after a magnificent season as a libero, a move that significantly bolsters the position group after Frazilus' and Kostic's departures.
Two transfers, Calli Kenny and Katie O'Sullivan, arrived at Bucknell. Kenny, a setter, previously played at Marquette, while O'Sullivan, a libero, suited up for San Jose State.
Six freshmen joined the Bison, most notably, Isabella Charlton and Marion Haskell. Haskell has developed into one of Bucknell's main offensive threats. Charlton has played a crucial role in serving and backline defense.
John Post enters his first season for the Bison after a highly successful tenure as an assistant coach at Yale. Post previously helmed the men's and women's programs at Nichols College.
Haskell earned Patriot League Rookie of the Week and Bucknell's Bison of the Week for her outstanding performance last weekend. The newcomer smashed 32 kills on a .391 hitting percentage.
Peyton McGee is second in the conference in assists per set (8.45).
O'Sullivan is seventh in the conference in digs per set (3.87).
Shaffer's ten blocks last weekend moved to her 332 in her career, tied for fifth in Bucknell history.
Lloyd crossed the 1000-dig milestone this season.

Scouting American/Series History

American is 11-4 overall and 6-0 in Patriot League play. The Eagles have been impressive, collecting three Power Four wins over Iowa State, Northwestern, and Virginia.
In conference action, the Eagles have brushed aside Army, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh, Loyola (Md.), and Navy.
American was spectacular in 2025, posting a 24-5 overall and 15-1 in conference competition. They dropped their first PL match to Colgate before rolling to a 17-match winning streak, which included the PL Championship Game. Their season ended in a sweep to Colorado in the NCAA Tournament.
The Eagles were selected to repeat as conference champions and dominated the preseason awards. Deniz Dakak was voted Preseason Player and Setter of the Year. Bella Marrero clinched Defensive Player of the Year. Sophie Dufour, Elise Sterling, and Prinzez Zeck joined them on the Preseason All-League Team.
Dakak leads the conference in assists per set (10.51).
Salme Hollas leads the Eagles in kills (173).
New head coach Jenny Glenn has kept the American volleyball machine rolling. She previously led the Metropolitan State University of Denver to a Division II National Championship.
American leads the all-time series 54-6. Four of Bucknell's win have occurred since 2022, including a sweep in 2024.

Scouting Holy Cross/Series History

Holy Cross is 8-11 overall and 1-5 in PL competition. The Crusaders defeated Lafayette for its sole conference win and fell to American, Army, Colgate, Lehigh, and Navy.
The Purple & White went 9-23 overall and 3-13 in conference play. They did not qualify for the PL Tournament.
The Crusaders were picked to finish seventh in the nine-team Patriot League. No Crusader made the Preseason All-League Team.
Emma Sorensen leads the PL in kills (235).
Matthew Cribbin is in his second year at the helm and sports a 17-34 record.
Bucknell leads the all-time series 47-20 and has won the last six matches.

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