Volleyball Opens Season with Twin Defeats

Friday, August 28

Huntington, W.Va.

11 a.m.

Bucknell University

0-1,0-0Patriot

Ohio

1-0,0-0MAC

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Ohio	25	25	25	3
Bucknell	16	21	19	0

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Bucknell	19	29	21	0
Marshall	25	31	25	3

Photo by: Austin Ray

8/28/2026 9:02:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

HUNTINGTON, W.VA.- Bucknell Volleyball opened the 2026 season and John Post era with a pair of tightly contested sweeps against Ohio (0-1; 16-25, 21-25, 19-25) and Marshall (0-2; 19-25, 29-31, 21-25). Several Bison made impressive debuts as Bucknell worked through different lineups.

Ohio Recap

The Bobcats dominated the stat sheet, posting 49 kills to Bucknell's 29 and out-hit the Bison .327 to .151.

Kaitlyn Taylor drew rave reviews from Coach Post for her preseason play, and the senior outside hitter lived up to the praise with 10 kills on a solid .333 hitting percentage.

Cameron Lloyd switched back to her standard outside hitter position after she spent 2025 as a magnificent libero and delivered consistently ferocious attacks en route to eight kills.

Katie O'Sullivan, this season's libero, shoveled 13 digs in her Bison debut.

The Bobcats rolled through the opening set after surviving a brief Bucknell period of dominance. The Bison led 2-1 on two Ohio errors. The Bobcats battled back and led 8-6. A 3-0 Ohio run decisively separated the Buckeye State school from the Orange & Blue. Ohio continued to stack points and blunt any chances at a Bucknell rally for the 25-16 set win.

Bucknell jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second set. Ohio responded with a 5-0 run and continued its hot streak from the opening set, extending to a 15-9 lead by the media timeout. Bucknell scored three straight points after the timeout. Ohio regrouped and led 18-13 before the Orange & Blue stormed ahead on a 6-0 run, powered by four straight Bobcat errors. The teams exchanged points like baseball cards for a 21-21 deadlock. Ohio forged ahead on a block. Bucknell called timeout. The stratagem did not work. The Bobcats scored three more points for the second set win.

The third set began on even terms with neither team creating much of a separation. Ohio temporarily moved ahead 9-7 before Bucknell regained the lead with a 3-0 run. The Bison remained ahead 12-10 when Ohio used a 7-1 stretch to establish an advantage that the Bobcats would never yield. The Orange & Blue tried to cut into the deficit but Ohio remained defiant and won the set 25-19 to complete the sweep.

Marshall Recap

The Thundering Herd posted 52 kills to the Bison's 43 and outhit Bucknell .336 to .274.

Sidney Shaffer led the team with 13 kills and a sparkling .591 hitting percentage.

Marshall started strongly, galloping out to a 13-7 lead. The Bison responded with a 7-0 lead, powered by multiple kills. The two teams traded points until the score was 18-18. Marshall broke away with a 5-0 run that extended into a set-winning 7-1 stretch.

The early stages of the second set belonged to the Bison. The Orange & Blue marched to a 14-8 lead. Marshall whittled away at the lead until the score was tied at 18-18. The teams exchanged points until Marshall slightly forged ahead 23-21. The Bison used a 3-0 run to take a 24-23 lead and put themselves on set point. The Thundering Herd responded to tie the set. Bucknell reached set point five more times, but Marshall answered each time to eventually claim the 31-29 victory.

The third set was a see-saw affair in the early stages. With the score at 12-12, Marshall used a 6-0 run to separate from the Bison. Bucknell refused to quit and thrice cut the deficit to three points. An O'Sullivan service error ended the set and completed the sweep.

Up Next

The Marshall Invitational concludes tomorrow against Niagara at 1 p.m. The Purple Eagles were also swept by Marshall and Ohio.