Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
1-2,0-0Patriot
Niagara
0-3,0-0MAAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara | 25 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 1 |
| Bucknell | 20 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Coach John Post's First Win Arrives in Four Set Victory over Niagara
8/29/2026 3:09:00 PM | Volleyball
HUNTINGTON, W.VA.- Bucknell (1-2) shook off a slow start to beat Niagara (0-3) in four sets (20-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-17) to earn its first win of the season and of head coach John Post's Bison tenure. The Orange & Blue seized control of the match in the second set and never looked back.Â
Bucknell's offense was on fire, hitting a sizzling .344 to Niagara's meager .152. The Bison collected 58 kills.Â
Sidney Shaffer showed her prowess at middle blocker, collecting a team-high 13 kills while slashing a .522 hitting percentage. Freshman Marion Haskell tied her with 13 kills. Klea Tarja added 11 kills.
The triumvirate was ably supplied by setter Peyton McGee, who set a career-high with 47 assists.Â
Looking to avenge their twin sweeps from Friday, the Bison dominated the early proceedings, building multiple leads of 14-7, 16-9, and 17-10. A Marion Haskell kill placed Bucknell up 19-11 and the first set seemed well in hand. Niagara had different plans and ripped off an 8-0 run to tie the set. A Bison timeout and a Kaitlyn Taylor kill temporarily halted the Purple Eagles' flight but Niagara uncorked another 6-0 run for the 25-20 set win.
Niagara continued its momentum into the next stanza, building a 7-1 lead. Bucknell stabilized the situation and only trailed 15-10 entering the media timeout. An 8-1 Bucknell run handed the lead to the Bison. Niagara, shaken, could only gather two more points as the Orange & Blue won its first set of 2026, 25-18.
Bucknell grabbed the early lead in the third set before Niagara rallied for a 10-10 tie. The Orange & Blue replied with a 3-0 run. Niagara consistently cut the deficit to two points but was unable to clear the final hurdle. The Bison kept the Purple Eagles at bay and won the set, 25-21.
The Bison smelled victory and left nothing to chance. Bucknell jumped out to a 5-0 lead and kept building a larger and larger deficit for Niagara, leading 15-6 at the media timeout. Niagara added a few late points but a Sarah Williams kill ended the set and secured the match for Bucknell, setting off a joyous celebration.Â
Bucknell travels to Beantown next weekend for the Boston College Invitational.Â
