Volleyball Begins Conference Play This Weekend

Friday, September 18

Easton, Pa.

7 p.m.

Bucknell University

Lafayette

Photo by: Nathanael LePage

9/16/2026 11:09:00 AM | Volleyball

Setting the Scene, Part I
Who: Bucknell (4-5) at Lafayette (6-4)
When: Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.
Where: Kirby Sports Center - Easton, Pa.
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: goleopards.com

Setting the Scene, Part II
Who: Bucknell (4-5) at Lehigh (7-1)
When: Saturday, Sept. 12 at 4 p.m.
Where: Grace Hall - Bethlehem, Pa.
Live Stream: LehighSports.com
Live Stats: lehighsports.com

About Bucknell

Bucknell starts Patriot League play this weekend against Lafayette and Lehigh. The Lafayette game will be streamed on ESPN+ and the Lehigh match will be streamed on LehighSports.com. Live Stats links for both contests can be found on the Bucknell Volleyball schedule page.
The Orange & Blue closed out non-conference play last weekend at the Siena Tournament. Bucknell swept Le Moyne and Delaware State before being swept by Siena.
The Bison were selected to finish with the sixth and 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 been one of Bucknell's main offensive threats.
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.

Scouting Lafayette/Series History

The Leopards are 6-4 in 2025, having already surpassed their 2025 win total.
Lafayette went 4-22 overall and 2-14 in Patriot League last season. They did not qualify for the conference tournament.
The Leopards were picked to finish last in the PL Preseason Poll and did not place any players on the Preseason All-League Team.
Amua Mbeche-Odhiambo leads the team with 97 kills.
CJ Werneke is in his second year of helming the Leopards and holds an all-time record of 10-26.
Bucknell owns the 53-27 all-time series lead and has won the last eight matches.

Scouting Lehigh/Series History

Lehigh sits 7-1 and collected a Power Four win with a 3-2 decision over West Virginia. Only a loss to Toledo has prevented a perfect start.
The Mountain Hawks went 12-16 overall and 6-10 in the PL last season. Their season concluded in the PL First Round with a sweep to Army.
Lehigh was picked to finish fourth in the annual preseason poll. Two Mountain Hawks, Alysia Fingall and Natalie Luscomb were named to the preseason team.
Four Lehigh players have more than 50 kills, with Fingall's 69 pacing the team.
Shawn McLaughlin is in his second year at Lehigh.
Bucknell trails Lehigh 36-55 in the all-time series but has won the last six matches.

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