Bucknell Women’s Volleyball set a new program record for most wins in a season with their win over the Holy Cross Crusaders this past Friday night. The previous record, held by Bucknell teams in 2003 and 2023, was 11 Patriot League wins. In addition, the Bison extended their winning streak to five games, all being sweeps. The Bison have 15 sweeps on their season, placing them at the second-most in program history, tied with the 1995 team. 

Bucknell faced Holy Cross on Friday and began the first set with a dominant lead, going up 5-0. Holy Cross caught up slightly, 6-8, but not enough when the Bison went on a 5-0 run. This allowed them to secure the first set at a score of 25-12. 

The second set began very similarly with Bucknell at a lead of 8-0. Holy Cross tried to make up some of the difference, but the Bison took off. The biggest lead Bucknell had was 20-7. The Bison capitalized on this gap and ended the set with a score of 25-11. 

The third set began a little shaky, but Bucknell regained their footing and climbed to a 14-5 lead. The Crusaders kept fighting back, but nothing was enough to take the lead. Caleigh O’Connell ’26 and Sidney Shaffer ’27 provided two kills, with Tijana Kostic ’26 coming in to end the game with an incredible untouched serve, leaving the match with a 25-17 win.

This was an incredible win for the Bison. Reigning Patriot League Player of the Week Bri Frazilus ’26 snagged 13 kills with Riley Tucker ’27 following with seven kills. O’Connell provided 31 assists and Jordan Hardy ’25 had eight digs. 

The Bison’s winning streak was halted by the Army Black Nights in a riveting match Saturday evening. All three sets held only a three-point difference in the final scores. The first set began with a Bucknell lead until Army went on a 7-1 run, putting the Bison at a large deficit. The Bison cut the deficit, only trailing behind by one point, 18-17. Alas, Army was able to capitalize and finished the set with a score of 25-22 to emerge victorious.

The second set began, again, with the Bison in the lead. The teams tussled back and forth, and the Bison led 20-18. Eventually, though, the Black Nights crept ahead with a 7-2 run, ending the set with a score of 25-22, Army in front. 

The third set was full of energy for the Bison, they were ready to attack. Army led the game initially, but the Bison tied it at 6-6. Trading the lead back and forth, Bucknell finally led at first with a score of 19-16. They kept their lead, but Army shadowed closely behind with a score of 23-20. The Black Nights were able to counter Bucknell’s attack and gain momentum, allowing Army to finish the set and end the match with a final score of 28-26. 

Again, Frazilus led the team in kills with 14. Kostic and Shaffer smashed nine kills each. O’Connell set the team up for success by providing 40 assists. It was a nail-biting game and an upsetting ending for the Bison, but the effort and grit were incredible to witness.

Catch Women’s Volleyball at Loyola on Friday, but back in Davis Gym on Saturday at 4 p.m. against Colgate, celebrating senior day.