HAMILTON – The Colgate volleyball program remains undefeated in conference action as it earned a 3-1 victory against the defending Patriot League Champion Navy. With a final of 25-23, 22-25, 25-15, 25-20 on Cotterell Court, the Raiders earned their seventh straight win behind an Alex Stein double-double and 17 kills by Alli Lowe.

Photo Gallery

Colgate looks to defend its streak tomorrow against Bucknell. First serve is set for 4 p.m. at Cotterell Court.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The match opened with Lowe's first swing of the night gaining a 1-0 advantage against Navy. The Raiders went on a 3-1 run to narrow the Mids lead to just one point at 11-10 midway through the first, but the effectiveness of Colgate's wide attacks from the left point to the right side was what brought them back in the game. With back-to-back kills by Alex Stein, the Raiders regained the lead at 12-11, and continued playing point-for-point through a 15-14 Navy lead. The Raiders hit a three-point run behind a combination block of Hailey Horn-Bostel and Julia Kurowski on the right side for a 22-19 advantage before a swing by Stein brought the team to set point. The ball was then sent into the stands with a kill by Stein for the 25-23 opening set win.

The Raiders called an early timeout in the second game as Navy led 6-1, but came back within one as a powerful kill by Horn-Bostel destroyed the back row at 16-15. The team's became all tied up yet again at 18s, but a 3-0 scoring run by Navy lifted them to a 21-18 advantage heading into a Colgate timeout. Righting the ship out of the huddle with a kill was Horn-Bostel at 22-19, while Alli Lowe followed it up with a long kill just inside the back line. After a block by Sophie Thompson, Navy was pushed to call a timeout at set point, but ultimately was able to close out the set at 25-22 to even the match at one a piece.

Early in the third set, Colgate was able to successfully reverse a point for a 3-1 advantage, before running ahead to an 8-2 lead. Navy attempted to stall the momentum by calling a timeout, but Colgate continued its roll as a kill off the block by Taylor Flaherty lifted the Raiders to an 11-4 advantage. The third game featured stellar kills by Flaherty and blocks by Horn-Bostel as the Colgate momentum powered forward to an 18-9 score. The Raiders were brought to set point behind Lowe's 15th kill of the match before another Stein spike was sent to the back line for a 2-1 advantage with the dominant 25-15 win.

It was a point-for-point start through the fourth game, including a match-high of 15 tie scores and seven lead changes. After a tie at 12s, a saucy touch by Horn-Bostel claimed the lead at 15-14, but Navy responded with a pair of back-to-back blocks for a 17-15 advantage. After a 3-0 Navy run Colgate came out of the timeout with a kill to center court by Athena Leota, before tying the game yet again at 18s. The Colgate defense forced a Navy attack into the net, effectively regaining the lead at 19-18, before Stein's kill on an extensive rally brought the conference foes to match point. The Raiders were able to close out a 25-20 set win for a 3-1 victory against the defending Patriot League champions.
 

FINAL: The Raiders remain undefeated in the Patriot League with a 3-1 win over the defending champion Navy! Back at it tomorrow against Bucknell at 4pm. #ASAP #ATHL

Lowe - 17 kills
Stein - 17 kills, 12 digs
Horn-Bostel - 9 kills, 5 blocks
Carfino - 11 digs pic.twitter.com/hKI5gWUaZC

— Colgate Volleyball (@ColgateVB) October 19, 2019

 
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Behind 17 kills and 12 digs, senior Alex Stein recorded her team-leading 12th double-double of the season.
• Also leading the team offensively was junior Alli Lowe with 17 kills while hitting .240.
• In addition to a team-high of five total blocks on the night, sophomore Hailey Horn-Bostel recorded nine kills while hitting a strong .389.
• In the back row, freshman Cami Carfino recorded 11 digs for her fifth double-digit dig performance in her career.
• Colgate's 7-0 start in the Patriot League is the best streak since its 8-0 start in the 2012 Patriot League Championship campaign.
• The Raiders held the defending Patriot League Champion to a negative attack % in the third set, with a -.037, while the Raiders hit their best in the opening game at .333.
 
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 3, Navy 1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-15, 25-20)
 
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate improves to a 14-5 overall record, as well as an undefeated 7-0 mark in Patriot League play.
• Navy marks a 9-9 record, and 4-3 record in conference action.
 
HEAD COACH RYAN BAKER'S TAKE
"This was a great win against a very well coached Navy team. Navy has a great pass and serve game so you can't let down for one minute. Our team did a great job mentally and played intense defense.  
 
"Athena Leota changed the match with her block and we had great production offensively from many players."
 
"We have another big match tomorrow against a strong Bucknell team who has had a lot of wins this season.  We need to refocus quickly."
 
UP NEXT
The Raiders continue home action tomorrow, Oct. 19, as they host Bucknell for more Patriot League play. 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.