Box Score

HAMILTON – The Colgate volleyball team still had a chance to host the Patriot League Tournament, but American defeated the Raiders, 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 30-28), to earn the top seed.

Colgate (21-8, 13-3 PL) was led by Lindsay Young and Diane Seely for the second-straight match. The two were in double digits in kills again with 14. Young had a great weekend as she committed only four errors in 52 attacks and hit exactly 50 percent. Kaylee Fifer posted 39 assists, while Allie Dyer added 10 digs.

The Eagles (30-2, 15-1 PL) had three players in double figures. Led by Kristyna Lindovska with 14 kills, while Juliana Crum had 13 strikes and nine digs. Allison Cappallino was the third in double digits with 10 kills, while Monika Smidova posted 36 assists.

American jumped out to an early lead in the opening set at 6-2 with six consecutive points, including two aces from Smidova. Colgate chipped away and got it to three at 10-7, but American just wouldn't let the Raiders any closer. The Eagles never increased the lead more than five points and then Lindovska gave the home team a six-point win at 25-19 to take a 1-0 lead.

Colgate didn't let the first set result get them down at the start of the second set and the Raiders earned a 10-7 lead. Young had two kills and Kenzie Hume added one during the early advantage. The Eagles fired back with a 6-1 run and took a 13-11 lead on an ace from Megan Rosburg. Colgate got back to within one at 13-12 with an error by the Eagles. However, that was as close as the Raiders got. American finished off the set with a 12-5 advantage and took a 2-0 lead with a 25-19 win.

The third set was the longest of the year for the Raiders. The teams battled until the end, especially Colgate. The Raiders erased many deficits and earned an 18-17 lead after two kills by Young and an error by Smidova. Colgate had its chance to put the set away with a 23-21 lead after Seely was given a kill and another Eagle error. American responded with three-straight points to earn match point at 24-23. 

Colgate wouldn't let it happen that easy however. Seely fought back with her 14th kill to tie the match at 24-24. The teams went back-and-forth with Young tallying three strikes to keep the Raiders in it. However, American got back-to-back kills from Cappellino and Lindovska to earn the sweep with the 30-28 win.

Colgate is the second seed in the upcoming Patriot League Tournament, which will be hosted by American. Stay tuned to gocoglateraiders.com for tournament updates on who Colgate will face.