Bucknell Volleyball broke through for a historic 21-5 campaign in 2024. The season contained a 13-3 Patriot League record and a program-record 15-game winning streak. But the final two contests mixed in a bittersweet aftertaste leaving the squad wanting more and fueling the 2025 edition to obtain those results.
The 2024 regular season ended in Davis Gym with Bucknell and reigning Patriot League champion Colgate locked in a winner-take-all battle for the regular season title and homecourt advantage for the Patriot League Tournament. Bucknell seized the first two sets, built a solid lead in the third, and looked poised to sweep the Raiders. Colgate substituted and the tide turned leading to a reverse sweep despite the Bison sitting one point away from the title. The heartbreaking loss relegated Bucknell to second place and a semifinal match against the surging third-seeded Army Black Knights.
The Bison and Black Knights jousted in an epic competition. Bucknell's efforts were hampered by 2024 Patriot League Setter of the Year Caleigh O'Connell's ankle injury which she suffered in the fifth-set versus Colgate. Army, a youthful team, started the season slowly but gelled and roared through the back portion of their schedule. The Cadets squeezed the win and doomed Bucknell to its third straight winless Patriot League Tournament.
The Bison were not heavily hit by graduation with only two players, Jordan Hardy and Jen Sivak, departing for the real world. While losing Hardy, a two-time Patriot League Libero of the Year and the program leader in career digs, will require adjustment on the defensive end, the team returns nearly every kill and every set. The 2024 Bison placed five members on All-League Teams - the depth and talent pool is deep enough to fill Kinney Natatorium.
An unexpected development arose in July when head coach Tyler Hagstrom abruptly announced his resignation to take the corresponding position at Penn. Hagstrom reconstructed the program from its basement status to a Patriot League contender in five years with strong recruiting classes and expert tactics. Assistant coach Jeremy Young was tabbed as the interim head coach. Young has spent four years in Lewisburg and knows the players inside and out. Losing a head coach two months before the season is never ideal, but Young's presence tames the churning waters. His comments below detail the situation:
"Last season's success was years in the making, and our returners had a major role in rebuilding the program and reestablishing high standards. Now we get to start on a firm foundation with the expectation of competitive excellence. At the same time, it's a new season with a new team and almost an entirely new staff. At our opening meeting, we talked about how we have a lot of experience. We also have new roles and responsibilities. It was a lot of hard work to get Bucknell Volleyball back to this point. It's going to be even harder to take the next step and accomplish the goals we've set for ourselves this season, so we'll need to be really intentional about finding ways for our experience to work for us."
Outside Hitter
"Our pin group is really deep this year, and they've all had a really productive preseason."
The position holds more treasure than King Tut's vault. 2022 Patriot League Rookie of the Year and 2024 All-Patriot League Team senior Bri Frazilus headlines the group. She led the Bison with 325 kills and 351 points in 2024 with her 3.57 kills per set pacing the Patriot League. An energetic and powerful swinger, Frazilus will be depended upon to land the knockout blow.
"Bri established herself as one of the most prolific scorers in the Patriot League last season, and she's put herself in a position for us to rely on her even more this fall. She's really hungry for her senior season to be the best one yet, and when she gets fired up, our team feeds off of her energy in a major way."
Senior Tijana Kostic had a breakthrough season in 2024, setting career highs in digs (277) and kills (230) en route to 2024 All-Patriot League Second Team honors. Her 33 service aces led the Bison. For her career, she has 450 kills and 350 digs.
"Tia also had a breakout season last year as an all-around player, and her whole game has continued to develop. She probably hits the heaviest ball on the team, and she could play an important role at either pin."
Junior Cameron Lloyd enters her third campaign as a versatile offensive and defensive piece. She collected 241 digs and supplied 174 kills. While, she did not notch any league honors, her activities rivaled in importance as those of her more decorated teammates.
"Cam is just a really good volleyball player, and we're a better team when she's on the floor. We're going to look to her for a lot of ball control, in addition to her game IQ and a competitive maturity that allows her to contribute all over the court."
Junior Kaitlyn Taylor developed into a consistent server in the rotation.
"Kaitlyn has had the best preseason of her Bucknell career. She's always been the teammate who will run through a wall to keep a ball alive, and now she's playing with more confidence, and the other parts of her game are falling into place."
Sophomore Bella Rodriguez was the only 2024 rookie to break into the veteran-laden rotation last season, supplying 22 kills and 22 service aces. She looks to play a larger role in the upcoming campaign. Fellow sophomore Sarah Hilliard saw limited duty in 2024, playing in five matches. Freshman Klea Tarja stands 5-11.
Bella's role in her first year focused more on her passing and defense, and this preseason she's shown that her offense is really coming along. She's a smart player who could challenge at either pin while providing much-needed ball control, and she's stepping into a bigger role of being an emotional leader on the court. Klea brings an impressive skill set and a sharp competitiveness. She's been really effective in her ability to score so far, and she could challenge for an important role sooner than I expected. Sarah is still returning to form after a season-ending injury last fall, but in the meantime, she's been a great teammate, fully invested in what's happening and ready to help out in any way during practice."
Setter
"We have a very solid setter group this year. They're a little different from one another, and all of them have the ability to help us win matches."
O'Connell returns as the mainstay and recently earned Preseason Patriot League Setter of the Year, along with a spot on the All-Patriot League Preseason Team. She finished the 2024 season with 887 assists and 9.64 assists per set - second in the loop. The senior setter will break into the Bison top-five this year for career assists. The goal for O'Connell in 2025 is entering the Patriot League Tournament healthy. She missed the 2023 edition with an injury and was hobbled by a hurt ankle last year. When fully healthy, she remains the acme setter.
"Caleigh had a breakout season last fall, which was exciting and rewarding to see, because she's a really diligent worker. She looks the most comfortable she's ever been here, and she continues to get better at her decision-making and managing an offensive rhythm."
Senior Laura Caro has valiantly filled-in for O'Connell when the injury bug infects. A capable setter, she has provided 885 assists over three seasons. Her super effective move is the fake out where she skips the set and instead launches an attack. Caro has accumulated 72 kills using this method.
"Laura is as focused and motivated as ever. She's crafty and not afraid to take risks. She's played a lot of important points in a Bucknell jersey, and she has the ability to be a game-changer who can bring a lot of energy."
Freshman Peyton McGee will learn and observe from her two veteran teammates but will receive opportunities for action.
"Peyton's adjustment to our gym has been very, very smooth. She's in a tough spot competing with two senior setters, but she's such a good all-around player that I wouldn't be surprised to see her contribute in any number of ways."
Middle Blocker
"I'm excited to see how our middles challenge one another and grow individually as well as a position this fall."
Two-time All-Patriot League honoree Sidney Shaffer represents the Hadrian's Wall of the Bison defense. The Californian collected 118 overall blocks and led the circuit in blocks per set (1.28) while adding an offensive dimension with 234 kills - second best on the team. She notched a spot on the Preseason All-League Team. Junior Riley Tucker stands 6-2 and plays even taller providing 85 blocks to the Bucknell defense. Her 148 kills were fifth on the team. She is an efficient hitter with a .275 percentage.
"Sid and Riley have been consistent starters since their first year, and both are determined to keep getting better. We'll look to Sid for a lot of offense, and Riley has the ability to be one of the most imposing blockers in the Patriot League. We will want them to be involved in as many plays as possible on offense and defense."
Two freshmen round out the position. Stephanie Eroh has impressed in preseason practices and could be the team's breakout player. She combines her 6 foot frame with explosive jumping ability. The second rookie Avery Bryan measures 6-1 and supplies additional height in the middle.
Stephanie is already one of the best learners in the gym and fits pretty seamlessly with the returning middles. She's super willing to try new things and make changes immediately, and there have been multiple times when she's made a play that has grabbed everyone's attention. Avery started playing volleyball a little later than most, so there's a bit of a learning curve, but she has shown up every day ready to work hard. I'm impressed by her willingness to jump right in and get after it with the other middles."
Defensive Specialist/Libero
"Our DS group was the biggest question mark heading into the preseason, and all three players have been impressive so far, specifically with how much the returners, Skye and Emily, have improved since last fall and how quickly Brynna has acclimated to our gym. We're putting a greater emphasis on hitter coverage, and those three have led the way in diving for balls and having their teammates' backs to keep the play alive. I'm also asking a lot of them in terms of communication and court presence. They're competing well as a group; they just also happen to be competing with some pins who have more gametime experience with ball control. Regardless of who ends up earning the starting libero spot, our DSes have shown themselves to be ready to contribute and make an impact during matches."
Jordan Hardy's graduation leaves a massive hole of uncertainly and a vacuum begging to be filled. The opportunity is there for the three candidates. Junior Skye Battino, by system experience, has the inside track. Battino has appeared in eight matches over her two seasons performing mop-up duty. Sophomore Emily Kearney played in six matches during her inaugural campaign. Freshman Brynna Guy is the tallest at 5-10. The chance is present for a gritty and hungry player.
Schedule
The non-conference schedule will prepare and toughen the squad for the upcoming Patriot League slate. The Bison added three Power Four squads including reigning National Champion Penn State, representing a shift in schedule formula from the previous seasons. Bucknell built the squad to compete and play with established programs. The season begins at the Bobcat Invitational with dates versus Iowa State, Ohio, and Eastern Illinois. The team heads to North Carolina the following weekend to face UNC and Oral Roberts. The away trip to Penn State serves as a midweek trip. Out of conference play concludes at Binghamton University with matchups versus the host team, Canisius, and Mercyhurst.
"Our non-conference schedule is, without a doubt, the toughest in a while, maybe ever. We open the season with Iowa State, which is a program that's really well coached, athletic and physical, and expects to make the NCAA Tournament every year. We are traveling to North Carolina, another NCAA Tournament team who is in the midst of their own resurgence and has all the pieces of a really, really strong team this season (in addition to being led by one of the best coaches and mentors I've ever known). We are playing at Penn State, the defending national champions who added a transfer that is a consensus National Player of the Year candidate. Surrounding those marquee names are a bunch of teams with histories of success. Our non-conference is going to be a constant test of where we stand and what we need to improve in order to be at our best throughout Patriot League play. I'm really interested to see how we compete and respond, and the ways in which we learn and get better."
The Patriot League schedule features the typical teams. Perennial champion Colgate is favored to repeat and Army was picked to finish second. The Bison start on the road for the first three of four conference games. However, the early travels pay off in Bucknell hosting the final three circuit contests including back-to-back games versus Colgate and Army. The regular season title will likely be decided during those two calendar-circling clashes.
"I think the Patriot League is going to be really competitive this season. There's quite a few new coaches, and so things could look very different from what we've seen or experienced in the past. Colgate has set the standard recently, but every team in the league is going to be better than last year, and we're going to need to approach each match expecting to get the other team's best shot. One specific challenge will be our travel schedule, which is particularly arduous this fall, so we'll need to take care of our priorities (academics, health, etc.) and be ready to go after long bus rides and short turnaround times between matches."
The 2025 season offers plenty of opportunities for the Bison to reclaim the Patriot League throne. The team has everything a squad needs for a title; elite offense, sturdy defense, towering walls in the middle, and quality depth. Health, as always, is an impossible-to-corral wildcard, but if Lady Fortune smiles upon the Orange & Blue, a dream season can occur on the Banks of the Susquehanna. Coach Young summarized the situation:
"At the start of our preseason, I asked the team for four things: Work hard, take care of one another, commit to learning, and enjoy the competition. They've done all of that. It's really early, and we've got a long list of things to improve, but we've done a lot of good things so far, and our players deserve all the credit for our cohesiveness and how we're playing right now. This team wants to win a Patriot League championship. It's something Bucknell has not done since before any of them were born. Our vision is clear, and we're going to do everything we can to put ourselves in a position to achieve that."