LINCOLN, Neb.- Colgate volleyball suffered setbacks to Denver and No. 11 Nebraska to close out its appearance in the Ameritas Players Challenge Saturday at the Bob Devaney Center.
The Raiders opened the day with a 3-0 loss (25-21, 25-15, 25-14) to Denver before falling to Huskers, 3-0 (25-9, 25-12, 25-15) in the tournament finale.
Bottom Line- Denver 3, Colgate 0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-14)
- No. 11 Nebraska 3, Colgate 0 (25-9, 25-12, 25-15)
Won-Lost Record- Colgate moved to 3-4 on the season as it finished the Ameritas Players Challenge with a 1-2 mark.
How It Happened (Denver)- Holding a 16-13 lead midway through the first set, Denver tallied six of the next nine points to build a 22-16 margin. The Raiders responded with five of the next six points to pull within two, 23-21, but the Pioneers notched the final two points of the set to take the opening frame, 25-21.
- Denver carried its momentum into the second set, building an early 11-4 lead as it cruised to a 25-15 victory and a 2-0 lead.
- The Pioneers once again used a quick start to take control of the third set, opening up an 11-4 lead and leading by as many as 11 as they posted a 25-14 victory to sweep the match.
Statistical Leaders (Denver)- Erica Denney recorded 10 kills while Nola Basey and Moni Corrujedo chipped in nine apiece to pace a balanced Denver attack that recorded 43 kills and combined for a .227 hitting percentage.
- Bailey Karst led all players with 28 assists and Katie Acker was the only Pioneer player to record double-digit digs as she finished with 14.
- Sarah Schmid tallied seven block assists to power a Denver lineup that teamed up to record 11 total blocks in the match.
Statistical Leaders (Colgate)- Sophomore
Kathleen Harris recorded eight kills and senior
Diane Seely added seven for Colgate.
- Freshman
Molly Smith handed out 15 assists while fellow newcomer
Elena Simpson tallied a team-best 12 digs.
How It Happened (Nebraska)- Nebraska cruised to a 25-9 victory in the opening set, rattling off nine straight points to break open a 5-4 match and cruise to the 16-point victory. The Huskers recorded 17 kills and just one attack error in 27 attempts in the frame for a sizzling .593 attack clip.
- The second set saw Nebraska score five of the first six points of the frame on its way to a 25-12 triumph and a 2-0 lead.
- An 8-0 run early in the third set allowed the Huskers to break a 4-4 tie and take an 11-4 lead on its way to a 25-15 victory and the match.
Statistical Leaders (Nebraska)- Kadie Rolfzen recorded 14 kills and Amber Rolfzen added 11 to highlight a Nebraska attack that finished with 44 kills and a .450 hitting percentage (44-8-80).
- Mary Pollmiller dished out 36 assists while Justine Wong-Orantes notched a team-best 19 digs.
Statistical Leaders (Colgate)- Seely tallied 11 kills and recorded just one attack error in 20 total attempts for a .500 hitting percentage to lead Colgate.
- Smith handed out 11 assists while Simpson finished with 12 digs.
Seely Named To All-Tournament Team- Senior middle blocker
Diane Seely was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Ameritas Players Challenge.
-Seely finished with 26 kills (2.89 kills per set) and a .415 hitting percentage for the tournament as she was charged with just four attack errors in 53 total attempts. She also recorded six total blocks, including two solo blocks.
- It marks the second time this season that Seely has garnered All-Tournament Team honors. She was recognized at Penn's Crowne Plaza Philadelphia West Invitational last weekend.
Quotable Colgate Head Coach Ryan Baker (on match against Denver)"Denver's defense frustrated us in many ways. After playing a great first set, we started playing it safe which will never win against top competition like Denver. You never get better unless you play against some of the best."
Colgate Head Coach Ryan Baker (on playing at Nebraska)"This match was a great opportunity for our team to go up against one of the top programs in the nation on its home floor. The crowd tonight in the Devaney Center was amazing and it shows just how special Nebraska's home-court advantage truly is."
Up NextColgate returns to action Sept. 20 as it faces Cornell in a 7:30 p.m. match at Syracuse's Otto Invitational.
