HAMILTON, N.Y. (11/13/09) – Claire Recht posted a match-high 16 kills and Magdalena Tekiel added 13 as American snapped Colgate's five-match win streak with a 25-13, 25-23, 20-25, 25-16 victory in a Patriot League match-up, Friday evening at Cotterell Court.

The Eagles, who upped their record to 16-11 overall and 10-3 in league play, took control in the midway stages of the first set.  With the game knotted at 12-12, Recht gave American the lead for good with a kill.  Tekiel followed by serving up 10-consecutive points as the Eagles took a commanding 23-12 advantage.

Colgate, which fell to 14-12 overall and 10-3 in league action, jumped out to a quick 6-3 advantage in the second set.  The Raiders led as 16-15 in the set before both teams traded points back and forth.  With the set knotted at 20-20, the Eagles scored three consecutive points to take the lead for good.  Colgate pulled within 23-22 on back-to-back kills from Logan Keala (Kaneohe, Hawaii) and Casey Ritt (Colorado Springs, Colo.).  The Raiders fought off one set point as Kaleigh Durket (El Dorado Hills, Calif.) posted her second kill of the set, but American closed out the game with a kill by Tekiel.

Colgate led the third set for a greater portion of the time.  The Raiders only trailed twice in the set at 2-1 and 17-16.  With the set tied at 19-19, Colgate received consecutive kills by Durket and Keala and then an attack error by the Eagles to grab a 22-19 advantage.  Up by two, Maureen Colligan (Odessa, Fla.) hammered back-to-back kills to give the Raiders set point.  Colgate forced the fourth set with an American attack error.

The Raiders trailed 9-5 in the fourth and final set, but fought back to take a 10-9 lead.  Keala gave Colgate its last lead at 11-10 with a kill.  With the set tied at 12-12, the Eagles received five consecutive points off the serve of Tekiel to take a commanding 18-12 lead.

Durket and Ritt led the offensive attack for Colgate with 12 and 10 kills respectively.  Kaylee Dougherty (Landisville, Pa.) continued to be effective as a hitter against league opposition by hitting .467 against the Eagles defense (9-2-15).  The sophomore also added a team-best five blocks in the loss.  Devon Applegate (Davidson, N.C.), the Patriot League's top digger, posted 13 in the loss, while Keala collected 10.

Colgate hits the court once more this weekend as it hosts Navy, Saturday afternoon.  Match time is set for a 4 p.m. start at Cotterell Court.  Prior to the match, three graduating seniors will be recognized.

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