Bucknell University Athletics
Update from Head Volleyball Coach Tyler Hagstrom -- October 2023
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BUCKNELL INVITATIONAL
William & Mary: L 1-3
Cornell: W 3-0
Princeton: L 0-3
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AKRON/CLEVELAND STATE TOURNAMENT
Akron: W 3-2
Harvard: L 0-3
Cleveland State: W 3-2
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PATRIOT LEAGUE
Army: L 0-3
Colgate: L 1-3
Lehigh: W 3-2
Lafayette: W 3-1
Navy: L 2-3
Loyola: W 3-0
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Dear Bucknell Volleyball Friends and Family, Â
Happy Fall! A lot has happened since my last letter to you. In summary, we are still growing and learning, and while we have taken some hits, we are on the right path and working hard to keep getting better as a team.
We hosted a preseason tournament for the second year in a row and welcomed Princeton, Cornell, William & Mary, and Niagara to Davis Gym. Our tournament had a different format in which we did not play every team, but we enjoyed the competition in every match we played (and even the ones for which we were just spectators). Senior Cat Jamison was named to the all-tournament team.
The following weekend, we traveled to Ohio for a tournament jointly hosted by Akron and Cleveland State. Our first match at Akron was a marathon in which we rallied from an 0-2 deficit to win 15-13 in a dramatic fifth set. The quick turnaround to play Harvard the next morning was a challenge, and while the team competed cleanly, we dropped two deuce sets in the 0-3 loss. Our final match of the weekend at Cleveland State was another 3-2 victory -- with a 15-13 fifth set -- that lasted nearly three hours. Junior Jordan Hardy and sophomore Caleigh O’Connell both earned all-tournament honors, while senior Valentina Feigl emerged as a difference-maker from the service line, sparking multiple runs at crucial moments late in sets. Senior Libby Nieporte, who has embraced an increased responsibility in the back row, notched a career-high 25 digs in the Cleveland State win.
Our Patriot League opener saw preseason #2 Army and #1 Colgate come into Davis Gym. Our program aims to compete for championships, so we welcomed the challenge of beginning our league schedule with these two teams. While we did not earn a win, we showed that we are ready to compete with the early favorites and will look forward to the rematches later this fall. For the weekend, Jamison led us in kills, and Hardy continues to climb the rankings on Bucknell’s career digs list, currently sitting at #4 all-time. First-year Sidney Shaffer also had a strong showing in the middle, and fellow first-year Cameron Lloyd continues to play a significant role on the team with her ball control and all-around contributions.
The second weekend sent us on the road to in-state rivals Lehigh and Lafayette. The match at Lehigh was a rollercoaster, with both teams seemingly in control for one part of the set only to see the other side regain the momentum. Ultimately, we squeaked out a fourth-set win in extra points and then prevailed in five sets with another 15-13 victory. The first-year duo of Shaffer and Riley Tucker had career nights in the middle, as Shaffer’s 16 kills included the match-winner and Tucker scored seven kills on an errorless 18 attempts. Jamison led the team with 17 kills, O’Connell picked up 50 assists, and Hardy collected 25 digs. It was our first win at Lehigh since 2010!
The next night at Lafayette did not have as dramatic of a scoresheet but still featured a lot of tense competition. We struggled to get comfortable but eventually found our footing to earn the four-set win. Sophomore Bri Frazilus had her best offensive showing of the season and led the team with 12 kills, followed by Jamison and Shaffer with 11 each, and Hardy continued to scoop up a league-leading number of digs. O’Connell distributed a balanced offense again, and Lloyd was one kill short of another double-double with 14 digs. Senior Allie Lopez had two late kills in her two attempts. The victory marked the first time that our program has won two away league matches in the same weekend since 2005!
Our most recent weekend brought two very close matches. At Navy, we battled through five sets but unfortunately fell short. Frazilus led the way with 12 kills, O'Connell put up 37 assists, and the first-year duo of Shaffer and Tucker--as well as senior opposite Jamison--took part in five blocks each. Hardy collected 18 digs, followed closely by Nieporte and Lloyd who both notched 14 digs. The next day at Loyola, we swept a Patriot League opponent on the road for the first time since 2015, with all three sets decided by two points. Jamison got 12 kills, and Shaffer and Tucker collected five blocks again.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at our matches this fall.
Tyler Hagstrom
Head Volleyball Coach
Bucknell University
tmh027@bucknell.edu
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Past Newsletters:
Bison Club support is the driving force behind Bucknell Athletics. Your donations directly impact the holistic development of student-athletes from 27 Division I varsity programs who are building a foundation at Bucknell to become leaders and difference-makers around the globe. Make your gift online, or call 570-577-1771 to support your favorite Bison team today.
William & Mary: L 1-3
Cornell: W 3-0
Princeton: L 0-3
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AKRON/CLEVELAND STATE TOURNAMENT
Akron: W 3-2
Harvard: L 0-3
Cleveland State: W 3-2
Â
PATRIOT LEAGUE
Army: L 0-3
Colgate: L 1-3
Lehigh: W 3-2
Lafayette: W 3-1
Navy: L 2-3
Loyola: W 3-0
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Dear Bucknell Volleyball Friends and Family, Â
Happy Fall! A lot has happened since my last letter to you. In summary, we are still growing and learning, and while we have taken some hits, we are on the right path and working hard to keep getting better as a team.
We hosted a preseason tournament for the second year in a row and welcomed Princeton, Cornell, William & Mary, and Niagara to Davis Gym. Our tournament had a different format in which we did not play every team, but we enjoyed the competition in every match we played (and even the ones for which we were just spectators). Senior Cat Jamison was named to the all-tournament team.
The following weekend, we traveled to Ohio for a tournament jointly hosted by Akron and Cleveland State. Our first match at Akron was a marathon in which we rallied from an 0-2 deficit to win 15-13 in a dramatic fifth set. The quick turnaround to play Harvard the next morning was a challenge, and while the team competed cleanly, we dropped two deuce sets in the 0-3 loss. Our final match of the weekend at Cleveland State was another 3-2 victory -- with a 15-13 fifth set -- that lasted nearly three hours. Junior Jordan Hardy and sophomore Caleigh O’Connell both earned all-tournament honors, while senior Valentina Feigl emerged as a difference-maker from the service line, sparking multiple runs at crucial moments late in sets. Senior Libby Nieporte, who has embraced an increased responsibility in the back row, notched a career-high 25 digs in the Cleveland State win.
Our Patriot League opener saw preseason #2 Army and #1 Colgate come into Davis Gym. Our program aims to compete for championships, so we welcomed the challenge of beginning our league schedule with these two teams. While we did not earn a win, we showed that we are ready to compete with the early favorites and will look forward to the rematches later this fall. For the weekend, Jamison led us in kills, and Hardy continues to climb the rankings on Bucknell’s career digs list, currently sitting at #4 all-time. First-year Sidney Shaffer also had a strong showing in the middle, and fellow first-year Cameron Lloyd continues to play a significant role on the team with her ball control and all-around contributions.
The second weekend sent us on the road to in-state rivals Lehigh and Lafayette. The match at Lehigh was a rollercoaster, with both teams seemingly in control for one part of the set only to see the other side regain the momentum. Ultimately, we squeaked out a fourth-set win in extra points and then prevailed in five sets with another 15-13 victory. The first-year duo of Shaffer and Riley Tucker had career nights in the middle, as Shaffer’s 16 kills included the match-winner and Tucker scored seven kills on an errorless 18 attempts. Jamison led the team with 17 kills, O’Connell picked up 50 assists, and Hardy collected 25 digs. It was our first win at Lehigh since 2010!
The next night at Lafayette did not have as dramatic of a scoresheet but still featured a lot of tense competition. We struggled to get comfortable but eventually found our footing to earn the four-set win. Sophomore Bri Frazilus had her best offensive showing of the season and led the team with 12 kills, followed by Jamison and Shaffer with 11 each, and Hardy continued to scoop up a league-leading number of digs. O’Connell distributed a balanced offense again, and Lloyd was one kill short of another double-double with 14 digs. Senior Allie Lopez had two late kills in her two attempts. The victory marked the first time that our program has won two away league matches in the same weekend since 2005!
Our most recent weekend brought two very close matches. At Navy, we battled through five sets but unfortunately fell short. Frazilus led the way with 12 kills, O'Connell put up 37 assists, and the first-year duo of Shaffer and Tucker--as well as senior opposite Jamison--took part in five blocks each. Hardy collected 18 digs, followed closely by Nieporte and Lloyd who both notched 14 digs. The next day at Loyola, we swept a Patriot League opponent on the road for the first time since 2015, with all three sets decided by two points. Jamison got 12 kills, and Shaffer and Tucker collected five blocks again.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at our matches this fall.
Tyler Hagstrom
Head Volleyball Coach
Bucknell University
tmh027@bucknell.edu
Â
Past Newsletters:
Bison Club support is the driving force behind Bucknell Athletics. Your donations directly impact the holistic development of student-athletes from 27 Division I varsity programs who are building a foundation at Bucknell to become leaders and difference-makers around the globe. Make your gift online, or call 570-577-1771 to support your favorite Bison team today.