This season for the Bucknell Women’s Volleyball team has been one for the books. Beating Navy in their last game of the regular season marked their first win over the Midshipmen since 2015, their first time with 15 wins since 2006 and their first time in the playoffs since 2010. 

The Bison took on Navy in Annapolis, Maryland on Sunday. The Bison came back from a 2-0 deficit for the third time this season to defeat the Navy. After this win, the women secured their highest win total since 2006. 

For the third straight match in a row, Patriot League Rookie of the Week Tijana Kostic ’26, led the team in kills. Additionally, Kostic had six block assists and two aces. 

Some other standout players in this match were Sandra Korusiewicz ’23 with nine kills and four blocks, Valentina Feigl ’24 with nine kills, two aces and seven blocks and Lisa Zoch ’23 with five kills and one block. 

Additionally, throughout the match, the Orange and Blue held a 13-4 advantage in service aces, which set a new season high record. To end the match, the two final back-to-back kills were accomplished by Feigl and Korusiewicz. 

This huge, historic 3-2 win over Navy, placed the Bison as the No. 5 seed, heading into the Patriot League Tournament. 

Bucknell traveled to Maryland again on Tuesday to face off against No. 4 seed Loyola Maryland in the Patriot League quarterfinals. Unfortunately for the Bison, their memorable season came to an end, with a 1-3 loss. 

To start the game, the Bison clinched the opening set 25-23 to take a 1-0 lead. The Bison came out strong and put up a good fight against Loyola. Patriot League Rookie of the Year Bri Frazilus ’26, contributed six kills with no errors in the first set. Additionally, the Bison maintained momentum heading into the second set. 

The second set was a tough battle with many back and forth points and lead changes. However, once Loyola began their hot streak, they won three sets in a row. 

To end the match, the Greyhounds totaled an advantage in kills 58-39 and a 6-0 lead in service aces, while the Bison led 9-7 in blocks and 85-79 in digs. Bucknell’s Second Team All-Patriot League libero Jordan Hardy ’25 matched Loyola’s five-time Patriot League Libero of the Year with 25 total digs. 

“Obviously the game didn’t end the way we wanted it to, and that definitely hurt,” Zoch said. “But making playoffs this season and beating teams we haven’t before shows that Bucknell Volleyball is headed in the right direction. We had a great season overall and accomplished some big things together as a team with the help of our coaches this semester. I’m excited to see what Bucknell Volleyball can do next year.”

Although this was not the ending the Bison wanted, their upcoming season is looking very promising.