Bucknell University Athletics
Friday, September 25
Baltimore, Md,
6 p.m.
Bucknell University
at
Loyola
Photo by: Nathanael LePage
Volleyball Remains on the Road to Face Loyola (Md.) & Navy
9/23/2026 12:09:00 PM | Volleyball
Setting the Scene, Part I
Who: Bucknell (5-6, 1-1 PL) at Loyola (Md.) (2-8, 0-2 PL)
When:Â Friday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m.Â
Where:Â Reitz Arena - Baltimore, Md.
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: loyolagreyhounds.com
Setting the Scene, Part II
Who: Bucknell (5-6, 1-1 PL) at Navy (4-6, 2-0 PL)
When:Â Saturday, Sept. 19 at 4 p.m.Â
Where:Â Wesley A. Brown Field House - Annapolis, Md.
Live Stream:Â ESPN+
Live Stats: navysports.com
About Bucknell
Who: Bucknell (5-6, 1-1 PL) at Loyola (Md.) (2-8, 0-2 PL)
When:Â Friday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m.Â
Where:Â Reitz Arena - Baltimore, Md.
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: loyolagreyhounds.com
Setting the Scene, Part II
Who: Bucknell (5-6, 1-1 PL) at Navy (4-6, 2-0 PL)
When:Â Saturday, Sept. 19 at 4 p.m.Â
Where:Â Wesley A. Brown Field House - Annapolis, Md.
Live Stream:Â ESPN+
Live Stats: navysports.com
About Bucknell
- Bucknell continues conference play and its lengthy road trip with two matches against Loyola (Md.) and Navy. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+. Live Stats links for both contests can be found on the Bucknell Volleyball schedule page.Â
- The Bison opened Patriot League play last weekend with a split at Lafayette and Lehigh. Bucknell rallied for the five-set win over Lafayette but were swept by Lehigh.Â
- The Orange & Blue was 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.Â
- 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.Â
- 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.Â
- 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.Â
- 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.Â
- Peyton McGee is second in the conference in assists per set (7.94).Â
- Loyola is 2-8 overall and 0-2 in PL play. The Greyhounds have lost five straight, including its first two conference matches to Army and Colgate. Their two wins came against Morgan State and St. Peter's.Â
- The Greyhounds went 7-18 overall and 5-11 in PL action. They did not qualify for the Patriot League Tournament.Â
- Loyola was picked to finish eighth in the Patriot League Preseason Poll. No Greyhounds made the Preseason All-League Team.Â
- Two Greyhounds have recorded more than 80 kills. Morgan Crawford's 83 pace the squad.Â
- Alija Pittenger is in her 12th year as head coach.Â
- Bucknell owns the 22-15 series lead and has won the last five of six matches.Â
- Navy is 4-6 overall but started conference play with a 2-0 mark, recording an upset win over Colgate and sweeping Holy Cross.Â
- The Midshipmen went 13-14 overall and 8-8 in Patriot League competition last year. After beating Bucknell in the Patriot League First Round, their season ended with a sweep by American in the semifinals.Â
- Navy was picked to finish fifth in the PL Preseason Poll. No Mids landed on the Preseason All-League Team.Â
- Farrah Eike leads the team with 134 kills, averaging 3.72 per set.Â
- Paco Labrador enters his ninth season as head coach, owning a 115-95 record.Â
- Bucknell trails Navy 26-43 in the all-time series. Navy won all three matches last year.Â
- Bucknell begins 2026 home play against Army (Oct. 2) and Colgate (Oct. 3). Â
Players Mentioned
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/ VolleyballWednesday, September 23
Monday, September 21
Monday, September 21
Monday, September 21