ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The play was narrow in a Friday night Patriot League showdown, as the Colgate volleyball program battled against the Midshipmen. The pair of conference foes fought through 22 tie scores and nine lead changes in the Raiders eventual three-set loss at Navy.
HOW IT HAPPENED – 3-0 LOSS AT NAVY
The Raiders battled back from a four-point deficit to tie the opening set at the 13-13 marker midway through the first game at Navy. Although the teams were tied up in their sixth tie score of the game at just 16-16, Navy hit a stride late in the set to claim the first 25-20.
The challenges of the first set flowed over into the second, but it was with an
Alli Lowe block after a Colgate timeout that fueled the Raiders 4-0 scoring run to regain the lead at a 12-11 edge. The set continued on in a similar back-and-forth battle, before Navy broke ahead late to gain a 2-0 lead.
As the Raiders headed into a must-win game in Annapolis, they continued to pressure the Midshipmen, and gained another lead by a 4-0 scoring run for a 6-4 advantage early on. The move forced Navy to call a timeout, but they were able to rebound in a similar fashion as the Raiders with a four-point run out of its team meeting. A streaky set, Flaherty was able to score the Raiders third lead of the game with her season-high 10th kill of the match at a 16-15 marker midway through, but by a home-crowd powered 8-1 scoring run, Navy responded for the 25-18 score and match win.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Topping the team's offensive efforts was junior
Taylor Flaherty as she swung for a season-high 10 kills, and a .562 hitting percentage. The mark surpasses her previous best on the year of nine against Chicago State (Aug. 24).
• Just one dig shy of a double-double, freshman
Julia Kurowski posted 33 assists and nine digs on the night. In addition to her offensive performance, Kurowski also jumped for two solo blocks and one kill.
• Sophomore
Bridget Kolsky tallied double-digit digs for the 14th time this season on the year's 17 matches thus far, when she marked 14 against the Midshipmen's attack.
• The Raiders lone service ace of the match came by the hand of junior
Alex Stein, who also posted two solo blocks on Colgate's 6.0 against the Midshipmen.
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Navy 3, Colgate 0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-18)
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate now holds an 8-9 record overall, and are 3-2 in Patriot League play.
• Navy improves to 12-6, and holds a 4-1 conference mark.
COACH BAKER'S TAKE
"Obviously we are disappointed with the result. Navy played a great match and capitalized on of all our physical and mental errors."
"We need to refocus quickly and get ready for our match at American tomorrow."
UP NEXT
The Raiders continue Patriot League action on the road tomorrow, Oct. 6 when it faces defending Patriot League Champion American. First serve is set for 4 p.m. from Washington D.C.
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate volleyball program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateVB and on Instagram at Colgate_VB.
