WASHINGTON D.C. – The Colgate volleyball program's nine match win streak was snapped by the defending Patriot League Regular Season Champion American behind a 3-0 sweep on Saturday evening. The programs are now tied for the top of the conference standings, both holding 9-1 records in Patriot League play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In a fast start, American earned a quick 4-0 lead but the Raiders were able to gain a 7-6 advantage behind a kill by
Hailey Horn-Bostel. Despite the Raiders' efforts, American began to break ahead yet again with a block on the far side for a 13-9 edge. Through the extensive rallies filling the opening set, the defending Patriot League Regular Season Champion powered ahead to a dominant 25-14 first set win.
The Eagles came out with a similar 5-0 start in the second game, until the run was interrupted with a kill by
Alli Lowe. Colgate attempted to inch back midway though, winning points at 15-7 and 17-10, but continued to trail the home team. The Raiders battled back with a three-point run at 22-15 and with a 4-1 run behind
Alex Stein's kill off the block at 23-16, but a service error brought American to set point. Despite the Raiders late push, the Eagles closed out with a center court kill for a 25-17 win.
The Raiders faced a must-win third set, and pressured with a point-for-point start. After being tied through early points, Stein notched Colgate's lone ace of the match for a 6-5 advantage. After no more than a two-point spread through the first half of the set, American regained the lead at 13-11. Although the score would remain narrow,
Cami Carfino was forced to make a kill to the back line that put Colgate back within three at 23-20. Continuing to pressure the home team in the must-win set Lowe swung for a solid kill at match point, but American was able to close it out at 25-21 off the block for the sweep.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Leading the Raiders offensively was junior
Alli Lowe with 10 kills. It marks Lowe's 16th double-digit kill performance in the season's 22 matches.
• Junior libero
Bridget Kolsky earned her 19th double-digit dig match of the year behind a team-high of 11.
• A well-rounded performance,
Alex Stein tallied seven kills, six digs, one ace and one block assist on the night.
• Colgate's most challenging set came in the third, featuring eight tie scores and two lead changes. It was also the Raiders' most effective attack, with a .235 team attack percentage.
THE BOTTOM LINE
• American 3, Colgate 0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-21)
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate now holds a 16-6 overall record, as well as a 9-1 mark in Patriot League play.
• American is 16-7 on the season, and 9-1 in conference action.
HEAD COACH RYAN BAKER'S TAKE
"American is a great team and they showed it today. We will take what we learned and grow from this.
"To be 9-1 at this point in this season is a testament to our effort and togetherness. We have a long road ahead of us and plenty of time to keep improving.
"We will look at the film, work hard in practice, and get ready for another tough match against Army."
UP NEXT
The Raiders return home to host Army next Friday, Nov. 1 in a 7 p.m. first serve on Cotterell Court. Colgate then travels to Worcester, Massachusetts to take on Holy Cross on Sunday, Nov. 3.
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate volleyball program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateVB and on Instagram at Colgate_VB.
