Senior Libero Jordan Hardy has been the on-field logo of the Bucknell Volleyball resurgence. The Bison currently sit at 14-1 with the nation's longest active winning streak and first in the Patriot League. Last season, the team collected 15 wins, 11 in conference play (the highest total since 2003) and hosted its first PL tournament game in 20+ years. Hardy won the program's first Libero of the Year award and became the first Bison since Heidi Kamp in 2010 to earn First Team honors.

Interestingly enough, Hardy's spark for volleyball wasn't self-started - a shocking fact since her exuberance brightly shines the court. She preferred dance, golf, gymnastics, and soccer. Her mother signed her up to play and Hardy quickly cottoned to the sport.

"I did not want to play volleyball at first. I was doing a ton of other activities and sports. But my mother made me try it for a year and I could decide if I wanted to continue or not."

Fortunately for Bucknell volleyball, she liked the sport. She started as an outside hitter and unsurprisingly was proficient at gathering kills. However, she switched to libero when the growth sprut halted. The change paid off in spades.

"I was an outside hitter but as I got older and wanted to play in college, I realized I was too short to play in college as one. So I switched to libero."

Like many distant athletes (Hardy hails from outside pleasant and sunny Orlando), she wasn't aware of Bucknell's existence until the recruiting process. And like most athletes, once she arrived on campus she fell in love its charming landscape and friendly people, however, her wait was longer since she did not have a recruiting visit.

"My high school head coach told me all about Bucknell. Since it was COVID, I did not have a recruiting visit so I missed out on meeting the players until I was on campus."

Head Coach Tyler Hagstrom offers his account of her recruiting process:

"Jordan was part of that first class of recruits during COVID. She came on campus, but we were not allowed to meet with her, so she did the driving tour. We talked on the phone afterwards. She wanted business and Bucknell has a strong School of Management. We talked about the program's vision and how she would fit in." We knew she could have an immediate impact and she did."

Her major was another example of pivoting to another direction. But a libero must be fluid and swift towards unexpected changes.

"I honestly wanted to do something in the arts and sciences but I switched to the business school. I always thought finance was interesting and my parents are in business. I always knew if I did not like it that I could switch out."

Living far from home has its advantages and disadvantages. The opportunity to experience different cultures and the chance to see actual mountains and exist in four seasons (Florida is notoriously flat and humid) comes with the cost of not seeing her pets Rusty and Rebel. Not a country music duo but her beloved dog and cat.

"It has not been as hard as I thought because my family has been good about attending home and away games but the pets sadly do not make the trip."

Once installed in Pennsylvania, Hardy quickly grabbed the libero spot and never let up. The Bison sorely needed a talented libero and within a year, she became one of the Patriot League's and the nation's best. Her accomplishments boggle the imagination. In 2022, she collected 591 digs, the second-highest amount in Bucknell history and the fifth-highest in PL history. The next year, she finished seventh nationally in digs per set (5.54), while notching AVCA Northeast All-Region Honorable Mention -- the first Bison to achieve AVCA recognition. 

This season, she shattered Brandi Trapasso's career digs mark of 1588 to set the new Bucknell record. Her current mark (as of publication) of 1783 slots fifth in Patriot League history and she stands a good chance of finishing top three by the time her career concludes. With Bucknell's return to prominence, her stats are not empty calories but fueling the Orange & Blue engine.

A good chunk of her total comes from her impressive skill to flip pancake digs. A pancake is when a player flattens their hand against the ground before the ball makes contact in that exact same spot. Hardy excels in the maneuver and has dozens of clips. 

"It is hoping I can get a touch on a ball and putting everything I have out there. I am just diving and flying through the air. It goes back to work ethic."

Hardy, like all Division I athletes, comes blessed with God-given talent but her work ethic and drive have combined with her natural skills to create the exceptional libero that patrols Davis Gym. Assistant Coach Jeremy Young offers his perspective:

'Jordan is, in a word, reliable. Everyone has good days and not-so-good days. Even on days that seem a little rough, Jordan is going to keep working herself into a position to play better as the game goes on so she can be her best when it counts the most."

While Hardy is mostly team-driven, she takes pride in her personal awards. As well, she should. She has broken new ground for Bucknell athletes. The previous laurels have been mentioned, and true to her humble personality, she was pleasantly surprised by their existence.

"It was exciting. I was not expecting it at all. The Patriot League is full of great defensive players. As for Bucknell, it brings traction to the program and I like seeing my team in the spotlight."

The size and scope of Division I Women's Volleyball boost her national rankings into even more astounding reckoning. Volleyball is a massive sport and growing more and more every year. 300+ programs exist at the highest NCAA level. Hardy's top-ten finishes in 2022 and 2023 represent elite performances edgeing players from 30+ conferences. She is not fishing in a small pond but a mighty ocean. True to form, she does not dwell on it. She leaves it to stat-hungry sport information directors.

"Honestly, I do not have much of a feeling. I just see it as my job. My entire position is keeping the ball off the job. If I am up there, I am setting up my team for points."

Hardy was selected for team captain and it has proved a fantastic choice. Her playing qualities fit her well for leadership. She carries the vocal spirit on the court and keeps the energy high. The Bucknell Volleyball team might be the expressive squad on campus. Cannonball celebrations erupt after every single point.

"First, she is competitive and she wants to win. She had that mentality from day one and it has nevery strayed. It was apparent when I watched her in club ball. She was dialed in from the beginning. As a freshman, she wanted to win and felt comfortable speaking up. She has learned what works and how to communicate those feelings. That is what makes a great captain. Her fire rages and the other players see that."

Hardy believes in the old mantra 'actions speak louder than words' and her leadership reflects that. She inspires not berates.

"I would say I am more action-based. I try to lead by example. Even if I am having a rough day, I would put my work ethic above all else. It shows someone is still trying. I am vocal but it is because my position demands it and I love celebrating my teammates."

Hardy was part of fifth-year head coach Tyler Hagstrom's first recruiting class. She and fellow captain Jen Sivak are the remaining two of the original group. As such, they have bonded more than most teammates would.

"Being the only two in our class has allowed Jordan and I to become incredibly close over the past four years. We have each other’s backs in every situation and know each other better than anyone else - especially since we have also been roommates each year. I am so grateful that we were in this together. It truly has bonded us for life!"

Hardy equally reciprocated Sivak's appreciation for her roommate/teammate. The two are thick as thieves on and off the court.

"We have a great relationship over our four years. It helped the team to have seniors who can serve as role models for the freshmen and upperclassmen."