Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Steven Schoenfelder
Sidney Shaffer Receives Preseason All-Patriot League Honors; Bison Picked to Finish Sixth
8/19/2026 11:00:00 AM | Volleyball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Sidney Shaffer earned her third consecutive Preseason All-Patriot League honor and Bucknell was picked to finish sixth, as announced by the conference office on Wednesday and voted upon by the circuit's coaches. Only five of the league's nine teams placed a player on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team. American paced the loop with five selections.Â
Shaffer has been among the league's best players. The 2023 Patriot League Rookie of the Year has been a three-time All-League selection: Second Team in 2023 and First Team in 2024 and 2025, becoming only the sixth player in program history to receive dual First Team honors. Last year, she led the team in kills (288) and blocks (80). Shaffer set the program's record for single-game hitting percentage (.800) versus Holy Cross (11/7).Â
A proficient attacker, Shaffer ranks third all-time in Bucknell history for hitting percentage (.316). Her 288 career blocks are narrowly outside the Bison top five and the senior should finish her career ensconced inside the ranking.Â
Bucknell has made the Patriot League Tournament the last four seasons but still seeks its first win since 2006. The season begins on Aug. 28 at the Marshall Tournament.Â
American, the regular season and tournament champions in 2025, was the overwhelming favorite to defend its crown, securing eight first-place votes (coaches are prohibited from voting for their team). Perennial power Colgate slotted second and received the other first-place tally. Army, last year's runner-up, placed third. Lehigh, Navy, and Bucknell were the next three teams projected to make the conference tournament. Holy Cross, Lafayette, and Loyola (Md.) rounded out the poll.Â
American swept the major awards. Deniz Dakak won Player and Setter of the Year and Bella Marrero received Defensive Player of the Year.Â
2026 Patriot League Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. American, 64 (8 first-place votes)
2. Colgate, 57 (1 first-place vote)
3. Army West Point, 45
4. Lehigh, 39
5. Navy, 38
6. Bucknell, 36
7. Holy Cross, 17
8. Loyola Maryland, 14
9. Lafayette, 13
2026 Patriot League Preseason Women's Volleyball Major Awards
Player & Setter of the Year – Deniz Dakak, American, Jr., S
Defensive Player of the Year – Bella Marrero, American, Jr., L
2026 Preseason All-Patriot League Women's Volleyball Team*
Deniz Dakak, American, Jr., S
Sophie Dufour, American, So., OH
Bella Marrero, American, Jr., L
Elise Sterling, American, So., MB
Prinzez Zeck, American, Sr., MB
Juliette Myrick, Army West Point, Sr., S
Sidney Shaffer, Bucknell, Sr., MB
Milan Bayless, Colgate, Sr., OH
Tiana Owens, Colgate, Jr., OH
Alysia Fingall, Lehigh, Sr., RS
Natalie Luscomb, Lehigh, Sr., RS
Note: Student-athletes are listed alphabetically by institution
*Due to a tie in voting, there are 11 members on the Preseason All-Patriot League Women's Volleyball Team
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Shaffer has been among the league's best players. The 2023 Patriot League Rookie of the Year has been a three-time All-League selection: Second Team in 2023 and First Team in 2024 and 2025, becoming only the sixth player in program history to receive dual First Team honors. Last year, she led the team in kills (288) and blocks (80). Shaffer set the program's record for single-game hitting percentage (.800) versus Holy Cross (11/7).Â
A proficient attacker, Shaffer ranks third all-time in Bucknell history for hitting percentage (.316). Her 288 career blocks are narrowly outside the Bison top five and the senior should finish her career ensconced inside the ranking.Â
Bucknell has made the Patriot League Tournament the last four seasons but still seeks its first win since 2006. The season begins on Aug. 28 at the Marshall Tournament.Â
American, the regular season and tournament champions in 2025, was the overwhelming favorite to defend its crown, securing eight first-place votes (coaches are prohibited from voting for their team). Perennial power Colgate slotted second and received the other first-place tally. Army, last year's runner-up, placed third. Lehigh, Navy, and Bucknell were the next three teams projected to make the conference tournament. Holy Cross, Lafayette, and Loyola (Md.) rounded out the poll.Â
American swept the major awards. Deniz Dakak won Player and Setter of the Year and Bella Marrero received Defensive Player of the Year.Â
2026 Patriot League Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. American, 64 (8 first-place votes)
2. Colgate, 57 (1 first-place vote)
3. Army West Point, 45
4. Lehigh, 39
5. Navy, 38
6. Bucknell, 36
7. Holy Cross, 17
8. Loyola Maryland, 14
9. Lafayette, 13
2026 Patriot League Preseason Women's Volleyball Major Awards
Player & Setter of the Year – Deniz Dakak, American, Jr., S
Defensive Player of the Year – Bella Marrero, American, Jr., L
2026 Preseason All-Patriot League Women's Volleyball Team*
Deniz Dakak, American, Jr., S
Sophie Dufour, American, So., OH
Bella Marrero, American, Jr., L
Elise Sterling, American, So., MB
Prinzez Zeck, American, Sr., MB
Juliette Myrick, Army West Point, Sr., S
Sidney Shaffer, Bucknell, Sr., MB
Milan Bayless, Colgate, Sr., OH
Tiana Owens, Colgate, Jr., OH
Alysia Fingall, Lehigh, Sr., RS
Natalie Luscomb, Lehigh, Sr., RS
Note: Student-athletes are listed alphabetically by institution
*Due to a tie in voting, there are 11 members on the Preseason All-Patriot League Women's Volleyball Team
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Players Mentioned
MB
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