LEWISBURG, Pa. – Behind its 3-1 win at Bucknell on Saturday evening, the Colgate volleyball program solidified its 15-1 record in league action to garner the 2019 Patriot League Regular Season title.
For their first title since 2012, the Raiders are Co-Champions with league-foe American after the conclusion of the regular season. The Eagles won the tiebreak to host next weekend's Patriot League Tournament, where the Raiders earn the No. 2 seed.
Colgate faces the winner of the No. 5/4 seeds in the Patriot League Semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 23 in Washington, D.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Raiders struck early in the opening game, barreling ahead to a dominant 25-14 first set win. The game was closed out with a five-game point streak, while the Raiders didn't sacrifice any attack errors along the way.
Bucknell was ready to battle on their home court though as Colgate found themselves trailing 6-3 early. After tying the game at 9s, the Raiders capitalized on the streaky play by gaining a two-point advantage behind an
Alli Lowe kill at 16-14. The turning point came as Bucknell went on a six-point run topped by an ace to gain a 21-20 advantage, and although
Jessica Lathan was able to snap the streak, the Bison answered with another pair. With the effort, Bucknell tied the match at 1-1 with a 25-22 win.
With their sights set on a title, Colgate returned to the court with clean play in the third game. After
Hailey Horn-Bostel opened the set with one of her six kills, Colgate went on a 6-0 run behind a snap by
Alex Stein. Colgate powered ahead with its cleanest attack of the match featuring just one attack error, but Bucknell responded with a five-point push to narrow the score at 21-16. Behind a trio of aces by
Julia Kurowski, the Raiders were then able to close out the 25-18 win.
As Bucknell looked to force a fifth, it created streaky play with three-point runs peppering the set. As Kurowski sent a kill over the net, the Raiders finally struck a 5-0 run for a 16-10 advantage. Lathan and Stein teamed up for back-to-back blocks late in the game to lift the Raiders to a 23-15 score, before Lathan combined with Kurowski for a third straight stop at the net to get to match point. Fueled by her momentum, Lathan capped a kill to claim the 25-16 win to garner the Raiders' first Patriot League Regular Season Championship since 2012.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• The Raiders earn their sixth Patriot League title in program history and first since 2012.
• The 22 wins on the season is a best since matching 2013's 22-9 campaign.
• Sophomore setter
Julia Kurowski recorded her team-leading 15th double-double of the year behind 38 assists and 12 digs.
• With a team-high of 21, junior outside hitter
Alli Lowe surpassed 20-plus digs for the fifth time this season. A well-rounded performance, Lowe also notched eight digs and an ace while hitting .298.
• Also effective on both sides of the ball was senior
Alex Stein, recording 10 digs, nine kills, three total blocks and an ace.
• Senior
Jessica Lathan had a season-best day in two categories, behind her nine kills and team-high of six total blocks.
• Behind Kurowski's season-high of four, the Raiders matched their team-best of aces this season with eight (vs. Sacred Heart, Sept. 7).
• The Raiders hit their most efficient game in the third, behind a standout .464 team attack %.
• In the three sets they won, the Raiders didn't sacrifice any lead changes or tie scores. The match only included five ties and two lead changes in Bucknell's second set win.
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 3, Bucknell 1 (25-14, 22-25, 25-18, 25-16)
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate now holds a 22-6 overall record, as well as a 15-1 mark in Patriot League play.
• Bucknell is 14-14 on the season, and 3-13 in conference action.
HEAD COACH RYAN BAKER'S TAKE
"I am thrilled for these players for their monumental run throughout the regular season. It's quite an accomplishment to go 15–1 during the conference season and be Co-Champions.
"The credit goes to our seniors and their selflessness, positive energy, and the competitive environment they have created.
"
Julia Kurowski did a fantastic job in tonight's match. She wanted this banner and led her team.
"We have another big weekend ahead of us as we prepare for the conference tournament. Our goals are still intact and it will be fun to prepare this week."
UP NEXT
The Raiders will compete in the 2019 Patriot League Tournament, holding the No. 2 seed. Colgate has a bye into the semifinals and will face the winner of the quarterfinal between the No. 5 and No. 4 seeds at host American on Saturday, Nov. 23.
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate volleyball program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateVB and on Instagram at Colgate_VB.
