Box Score

FULLERTON, CALIF. – The Raiders took an early 2-0 set lead in the match, but Air Force came back in heartbreaking fashion to win the final three sets (23-25, 23-25, 30-28, 25-23, 17-15).
 
This was Colgate's first five-set match of the season.
 
Colgate defeated Air Force in the first set, claiming the frame 25-23. The Raiders were in a tight battle with the Falcons the entire way, but only trailed twice throughout the set. Late in the frame Colgate went on a 4-0 run to take the 23-19 lead thanks to kills from Amanda Smith, Taylor Flaherty and Kathleen Harris. Jaelah Hutchison hit a match-best .750 clip in the first set, totaling three kills, while Harris and Amanda Smith chipped in four and three kills, respectively.
 
The second set looked very similar to the first for the Raiders, who took the frame 25-23. Colgate went on an early 3-0 run to jump out to a 5-2 lead over the Flacons thanks to back-to-back blocks by Amanda Smith and Taylor Flaherty. The Raiders maintained momentum until Air Force used a 3-0 run to take a 22-21 lead, forcing Colgate to call a timeout. Back-to-back kills from Katie Stebbins and two attack errors from Air Force out of the timeout clinched the set for the Raiders.
 
Colgate battled from being down big early in the third set, but could not fight its out of the hole, falling 30-28. Molly Smith and Stansbury kept Colgate alive with three kills between them, cutting the Falcon lead to two late in the set. Then, Molly Smith and Hutchison came up with two huge blocks to tie the game at 24. The teams then traded points, but two back-to-back kills allowed the Falcons to win the set.
 
The Raiders held the lead for the majority of the fourth set, but the Falcons pushed past the Raiders late to win 25-23. Flaherty came up with a big solo block at the net to tie the game at 22, but Colgate would not get closer than two points for the rest of the set. Amanda Smith, Harris and Stansbury each pitched in four kills in the frame.
 
Colgate was never able to grab the lead in the fifth set, falling 17-15 to the Falcons. Air Force took a 9-6 lead, but Colgate was able to use a 5-2 run to tie it all up at 11. The set stayed tight for the rest of the way but Air Force was able to clinch its victory after a Colgate service error.
 
Harris led the way with 16 kills for the Raiders and setter Molly Smith dished out a career-best 52 assists in the match.
 
Bottom Line
- Air Force 3, Colgate 2 (23-25, 23-25, 30-28, 25-23, 17-15)
 
Won-Lost Records
- Colgate is now 3-4 on the year.  
- Air Force moves to 7-3 for the 2016 campaign.  
 
Key Raider Info
- Harris registered her fourth double-double of the year this afternoon, recording 16 kills and 10 digs.
- Stansbury pitched in 12 kills and nine digs.
- Rounding out Raiders in double-figure kills was Amanda Smith, who finished with 10.
- Flaherty logged nine kills and eight total blocks, while Hutchison recorded eight kills and seven total blocks.
- Molly Smith dished out a career-best 52 assists.
- McAndrews finished with 13 digs and Corrina Moncada logged 11.
 
Inside the Box Score
- The Raiders hit .255 on the day, totaling 63 kills, while the Falcons hit .179 and recorded 72 kills.
- Colgate logged 18 total blocks at the net, while Air Force totaled 8.5.
 
Up Next
- Colgate looks to close out the Classic by taking on Cal State Fullerton at 7:30 p.m. PT.
- Find all the information on how to follow the game at Game Central.