BERKELEY, Calif. – Two players from the Colgate volleyball program (2-1) were named to the Cal Tournament All-Tournament Team after their three match performances this weekend, including sophomore
Alli Lowe and senior
Jaelah Hutchison. On Saturday, the Raiders fell to the host 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-14) as California (3-0) remained undefeated after opening weekend.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a back-and-forth start to the opening set, Cal quickly gained a lead midway through the set. It wasn't until a 3-0 scoring run by the Raiders pushed Cal to use a timeout holding a narrow 16-13 lead. Despite an ace midway through by
Alex Stein helping swing some momentum in Colgate's direction, the Bears earned a 25-16 final to open the match.
Colgate gained an early lead in the second set, although a 7-1 scoring run midway through the game sealed it for the Golden Bears when they took the set at 25-18. The Raiders persistence showed when they went on a 4-0 run nearing the end of the second set, and again when three straight points went up for the team in maroon and gray at Cal's set point.
The third set was much more of a narrow battle between the foes, and featured a pair of Colgate aces by senior
Katie Stansbury and freshman
Ellen Hamlin, however Cal's defensive game at the net downed the Raiders at 25-14 to remain undefeated this season.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Colgate had two players named to the All-Tournament team, including sophomore
Alli Lowe and senior
Jaelah Hutchison. Hutchison notched 11 total blocks on the weekend in addition to 22 kills, while Lowe led the Raiders with 34 kills while hitting .176.
• With 10 digs against California, sophomore
Bridget Kolsky posted her third consecutive double-digit dig performance. On the weekend, the Pacific Palisades, California native totaled 51 to average 4.25 digs per set.
• In addition to notching an ace in today's match against Cal, senior Stansbury totaled a team-leading four service aces on the weekend.
• Leading the Raiders defensively was junior
Jessica Lathan, as her team-high of four kills in today's match increased her total in the Cal Tournament to 12 on the weekend.
• All four freshmen on the Colgate squad made their collegiate debuts this weekend, including
Ashley Chow,
Hailey Horn-Bostel,
Julia Kurowski, and
Ellen Hamlin. Kurowski was a three-time starter, Chow notched 16 digs against Rutgers, Hamlin earned an ace against Cal, and Horn-Bostel hit .250 on four attacks.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
• Tournament MVP: Mima Mirkovic – Cal
• Bailee Huizenga – Cal
• Emma Smith - Cal
•
Alli Lowe – Colgate
•
Jaelah Hutchison - Colgate
• Megan Klavitler – Chicago State
• Beka Kojadinovic – Rutgers
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Cal 3, Colgate 0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-14)
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate holds a 2-1 record after the opening weekend.
• Cal remains undefeated with a 3-0 record.
COACH BAKER'S TAKE
"While today's result was disappointing, you have to give a great deal of credit to Cal. They have some of the best California players – a volleyball mecca – on their roster. Overall, our effort and desire were there, but we lacked the ability to execute consistently."
"Preseason is about lessons and improvement, so we certainly are on the right track. Today shows that we have depth, which in very comforting and exciting. Practices will continue to be competitive because every day you have to bring your best."
UP NEXT
The Raiders will host their home opener next weekend as they welcome Northwestern, Princeton and Stephen F. Austin in the Ellis Rowland Memorial Tournament on Cotterell Court. Matches begin Friday, Aug. 31 at 12 p.m. and run through Saturday's 7 p.m. match between Colgate and Stephen F. Austin.
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate volleyball program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateVB and on Instagram at Colgate_VB.
