Luscomb Named To Preseason All-Patriot League

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League announced its 2025 Volleyball Preseason Poll, Major Awards and All-Patriot League Team on Wednesday morning. Senior right side hitter Natalie Luscomb earned a spot on the Preseason All-League Team while the Mountain Hawks were picked to finish in fifth place.

Luscomb enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, being named to the Second Team All-Patriot League after missing nearly the entire 2023 season due to injury. The Annapolis, Maryland native led the Mountain Hawks with 265 kills on an efficient .294 hitting percentage and ranked within the top ten in the league in kills. Luscomb also had an impact defensively for Lehigh, ranking third on the team with 66 total blocks last season.

The Mountain Hawks were picked to finish in fifth place after advancing to the Patriot League Championship semifinals a season ago. Lehigh defeated American in the quarterfinal round, marking the team’s first postseason victory since 2014. The Mountain Hawks would fall to the eventual champion Colgate Raiders in four sets in the semifinal round.

First year head coach Shawn McLaughlin and his Mountain Hawks will open the 2025 campaign in Binghamton, New York for a tournament hosted by the Binghamton Bearcats on August 29-30. Lehigh’s first match of the season will take place on the 29th at 3 p.m. against the UConn Huskies.

2025 Patriot League Preseason Women’s Volleyball Major Awards
Player of the Year – Milan Bayless, Colgate, Jr., OH
Setter of the Year – Caleigh O’Connell, Bucknell, So., S
Libero of the Year – Bella Marrero, American, So., L

2025 Preseason All-Patriot League Women’s Volleyball Team
Zedo Yilmaz, American, So., OH
Elise Sterling, American, So., MB
Mackenzie Lynch, Army West Point, Sr., OH
Caleigh O’Connell, Bucknell, Sr., S
Sidney Shaffer, Bucknell, Jr., MB
Milan Bayless, Colgate, Jr., OH
Natalie Luscomb, Lehigh, Jr., RS

Note: Student-athletes are listed alphabetically by institution

2025 Patriot League Women’s Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. Colgate, 64 (8 first-place votes)
2. Army West Point, 53 (1 first-place vote)
3. Bucknell, 49
4. American, 46
5. Lehigh, 38
6. Loyola Maryland, 25
7. Navy, 24
8. Lafayette, 16
9. Holy Cross, 9

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