Box score
HAMILTON, N.Y. (10/21/2005)—American University senior Cutrina Biddulph recorded a match-high 16 kills and a .484 hitting percentage to lead the Eagles to a 3-0 victory over Colgate University in Patriot League volleyball action this evening on Cotterell Court. American improves to 16-8 overall and 8-1 in the league with the 30-22, 30-24, 30-16 victory, while the Raiders fall to 4-17 and 3-5 in conference action.
Freshman hitter Katrina Zawojski (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) led the Raiders with nine kills and 10 digs, while sophomore Sheila Giovannini (Waltham, Mass./Arlington Catholic) posted a .333 hitting percentage with eight kills on 15 attacks. Senior setter Allie Nichols (Sacramento, Calif./Sacramento) finished with 22 assists and three kills.
Rookie libero Jackie Adlam (Marin, Calif./Marin Academy) anchored the Colgate defense with a team-best 15 digs and added a pair of service aces.
The Raiders opened the match with a strong game one, holding the Eagles to a team-low .262 hitting percentage. The two squads traded points throughout much of the first half of the game as neither team held more than a three-point advantage until American broke off five straight points to go ahead 24-17. The Raiders pulled back to within six, but could not get any closer, dropping the first game 30-22.
Colgate turned in an impressive second game, knocking down 12 kills and posting a team-best .226 hitting percentage. The Raiders roared out to an early 8-3 lead behind the serving of freshman Merryl Pohl (Seattle, Wash./Bishop Blanchet). Pohl finished with three kills and two service aces. Colgate continued its solid play, sporting a 12-9 edge before American went on a 6-1 run to take a 15-13 lead they would never relinquish.
A kill by Erin Kanetzke (Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline Academy) tied the game at 19 apiece, but sophomore Tara Stradling (Woodbine, Md./Glenelg) served American back to the 23-20 advantage. The Eagles added two more points for a five-point edge and the 30-24 victory.
In the final game of the night, American used an 11-2 run to break open a 9-9 contest, on their way to a convincing 30-16 win for the match. The Eagles posted a match-high .467 hitting percentage in the final game, while their defense held Colgate to a match-low nine kills.
Junior Elizabeth Maloney and freshman Ruben Sukaj added 12 and 11 kills, respectively, for the Eagles. Freshman setter Christina Nash recorded a match-high 31 assists and senior libero Jennifer Cosco had a match-best 16 digs.
The Raiders return to action on Oct. 22, hosting Navy in a crucial conference match. The first serve is set for 7 p.m., on Cotterell Court.
