BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Colgate volleyball program extends its undefeated run in Patriot League play to five straight matches behind a 3-0 sweep of Lehigh on Friday night. The longest undefeated streak in conference play dating back to its 2012 campaign, the Raiders look to continue the run tomorrow afternoon at Lafayette.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After Lehigh claimed the opening point, the Raiders responded with a 4-0 scoring run. The set would briefly alternate possession as Lehigh regained the lead at 7-6, before a block by
Alli Lowe tied the game at 12s. A four-point scoring run by Lehigh at 17-13 had the Raiders opting to use a timeout, one in which they returned with a kill by Lowe to shift the momentum. As the Raiders got back within one at 19-18, a block by
Julia Kurowski tied the game at 20-20. It was a point that completely shifted momentum as Colgate overcame a six-point deficit to regain the lead at 21-20. Although Lehigh pressed back within one, a kill to the back line by Lowe sealed the set at 25-22.
It was another close start in the second set, until an eventual block by
Sophie Thompson and
Taylor Flaherty lifted the Raiders to a 16-12 edge midway through. The Raiders played a clean game in which they went on an 11-3 run to close out the second set at 25-15 for a 2-0 advantage in the match.
With her first of three aces in the third set,
Alex Stein led Colgate to an early 5-2 lead on Lehigh's court. The move fueled a 10-point scoring run for the Raiders in which Stein capped with a kill at a 12-2 advantage. As Lehigh looked to avoid the sweep, it came up with four straight kill to narrow the score to 15-8, but Colgate would continue onward. Thompson had another defining kill to the back line with a swift swing at 20-13, before another back-row blast by
Hailey Horn-Bostel brought the Raiders to match point. Stein was there to serve up the kill and seal the sweep at Lehigh with a 25-17 final.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Colgate's 5-0 start in the Patriot League is its longest undefeated streak in conference play dating back to its 8-0 start in the 2012 campaign.
• Behind 11 kills and 12 digs, senior
Alex Stein recorded her team-leading 10th double-double of the season. Adding to her performance, Stein also notched three of Colgate's five aces at the back line, a high since marking four against Marist (Aug. 31).
• Four different Raiders earned double-digit kills, including a team-high of 13 by junior
Alli Lowe.
• Just one kill shy of her career-high, sophomore
Hailey Horn-Bostel earned 10 while hitting an attack of .500.
• Coming up with critical points was freshman
Sophie Thompson with four kills and a team-high of two total blocks.
• Senior
Taylor Flaherty also had a successful night at the net with 11 kills while hitting .421. The mark is a best since her career-high of 15 kills against Marist (Aug. 31).
• Defensively, the Raiders were led yet again by junior libero
Bridget Kolsky as she earned her 15th double-digit dig performance with 15 on the night.
• Colgate's efficient attack of .325 was a season-best.
• Three of the last four wins have been sweeps for the Colgate squad.
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 3, Lehigh 0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-17)
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate now holds a 12-5 overall record, as well as an undefeated 5-0 mark in the Patriot League.
• Lehigh drops to 9-10 on the season, and to 2-3 in conference action.
HEAD COACH RYAN BAKER'S TAKE
"I love how we just kept fighting against a really good Lehigh team. This is one of the most difficult venues to play in. Once we settled down, we played fundamentally sound volleyball.
"
Julia Kurowski set a great match and
Bridget Kolsky anchored the back row. Tomorrow won't be any easier so we need to refocus and get ready for another road match against a scrappy Lafayette team."
UP NEXT
The Raiders look to extend their Patriot League streak on the road tomorrow afternoon at Lafayette. First serve is set for 4 p.m.
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate volleyball program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateVB and on Instagram at Colgate_VB.
