Bucknell Volleyball Heads to Boston College Invitational

Opening Weekend Success Propels Eagles

According to bceagles.com, Boston College opened its 2026 campaign by sweeping both opponents at the Chestnut Hill Invite on August 28 and August 30. The Eagles started strong with a 3-0 victory over Air Force, powered by Audrey Ross, who recorded a career-high 24 kills alongside a .475 hitting percentage and 26 points. In her first career start, Naomi Watson tallied 10 total blocks, while Laney Blevins and Ava McBride made their collegiate debuts. Boston College followed up with another 3-0 sweep against Quinnipiac, where Ross led all players with 15 kills and McBride posted a game-high 20 assists. Freshmen Ava Castro, Mia Gold, and Tiani Shaw also saw their first action during the win. This 2-0 start marks the sixth straight season, the longest streak in program history.

Tournament Matchups and Opponent Form

Boston College opens tournament play against Stonehill on September 3, facing the Skyhawks for the fourth time in program history, as reported by bceagles.com. The Eagles hold a 3-0 all-time series lead, having won all nine sets played against Stonehill, including two victories during the 2025 season and a 3-0 sweep on September 17, 2023. Stonehill enters the matchup with a 2-2 record after competing at the University of New Orleans/Nicholls State Invitational, where outside hitter Sam Loyd led the team with 12 kills and a .500 hitting percentage in a win over New Orleans. Following the opener, Boston College meets Bucknell on Saturday evening, September 5, marking the fourth all-time meeting between the two programs and their first matchup in 27 years, according to bceagles.com. The Eagles lead the overall series 3-1, holding 3-0 victories from prior meetings in 1992 and 1998. Bucknell enters the weekend with a 1-2 record after opening its campaign at the Marshall Tournament. The Bison dropped a pair of three-set matches to Ohio and Marshall before securing a four-set win over Niagara to earn head coach John Post his first victory at Bucknell. In that win, middle blocker Sidney Shaffer and opposite Marion Haskell each notched 13 kills, while setter Peyton McGee delivered a career-high 47 assists. The Eagles conclude their weekend schedule against New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon, September 5, in what marks the 19th meeting between the two programs, according to bceagles.com. New Hampshire holds an 11-7 edge in the all-time series and claimed the most recent match 3-1 on August 30, 2023. The Wildcats arrive in Chestnut Hill carrying a 3-0 record after sweeping the Holly Young Invitational, which included a five-set opening win over New Haven, straight-set victories over Saint Peter’s, and a 3-1 win over Providence. UNH outside hitter Emma Converse earned Tournament MVP honors after registering a career-high 20 kills against the Friars, while outside hitter Lucy Chertock and middle blocker Rachel Grier secured spots on the America East Preseason All-Conference Team.

Early Conference Rankings

Through the first six sets of the season, Boston College stands near the top of several Atlantic Coast Conference statistical categories, according to bceagles.com. The Eagles rank first in the ACC in blocks per set (3.83) and opponent blocks per set (1.17), while also claiming third in team hitting percentage (.290). Individually, Audrey Ross leads the conference in kills per set (6.50) and points per set (7.00) while ranking seventh in hitting percentage (.429). Naomi Watson paces the league with 2.67 blocks per set, totaling 16 blocks, while Sofija Marjanovic ranks second in service aces per set (0.83), and Brooklyn Yelland sits sixth in dig per set rate (3.83).