WASHINGTON – Army ended Colgate's dreams of a Patriot League championship here Saturday with a 3-sets-to-1 decision in the volleyball tournament semifinals.
The Raiders swept Army 3-1 and 3-0 during the season and were vying for their 23rd victory of what has been a magical campaign.
But this day belonged to the Black Knights, who posted 79 digs and did just enough up front to swing the momentum after the opening set went Colgate's way. The Raiders had their chances in each of the last three sets, but Army made the plays and were deserving winners.
Patriot League Player of the Year
Alli Lowe performed like it and more, finishing with 21 kills against just one hitting error out of 54 attacks.
Alex Stein added 10 kills and a dozen digs for her 15th double-double of the season.
The Raiders hope to land in the 32-team National Invitational Volleyball Championship, which announces its field next week after NCAA selections are made.
How It Happened
Set 1: Lowe's kill for a 6-5 lead jump-started the Raiders in Set 1. Colgate went on an 8-1 run and then added another 6-1 streak to lead 20-13. Army put three in a row on the board but Colgate regained control and rode to a 25-20 victory.
Set 2: The second set was a mirror of the first, with Army in command throughout. It was 8-2 when Colgate head coach
Ryan Baker called timeout. That slowed the Black Knight assault but didn't stop it as Baker called timeout again after the lead swelled to 15-7. Trailing 21-14, Colgate made one last run and put four straight on the board, forcing an Army timeout. The Raiders got within 22-20 and 23-21 but Army won an extended rally for the clinching point to even the match.
Set 3: Army jumped in front 7-4 but
Jessica Lathan came off the bench to provide a spark, and Colgate responded. The Raiders earned their first tie at 14-14 and then took the lead 16-14 on Lowe's kill to cap a 4-0 run. Colgate led 19-16 and then the teams traded points until it was 22-20 Raiders. Army called timeout and the Black Knights found a rhythm, winning the final five points to suddenly lead 2-1 in the match.
Set 4: The final set featured 15 ties and seven lead changes. Colgate went in front 6-4, only for Army to win the next three points. Colgate led 11-9, and once again Army put five straight on the board. But this time, Colgate answered immediately with four in a row for a 15-14 edge. Colgate led 18-16, followed by three straight from Army. The Raiders led 21-20 and then were level at 22-all, but once again Army finished strong and claimed the last three points to clinch a berth in the final against American.
Statistical Standouts
• Lathan finished with four kills against just one error in nine attacks.
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Taylor Flaherty had eight kills and
Hailey Horn-Bostel four.
• Colgate's fourth-set hitting percentage of .146 was its lowest of the match.
• Army's Courtney Horace registered 16 kills, followed by 13 from Monica Eckford and 11 apiece by Allie Strong and Emmy Barnhorst.
Bottom Line
• Army 3, Colgate 1 (20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22)
Won-Lost Records
• Colgate is now 22-7.
• Army improved to 22-9.
From the Source
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Colgate Head Coach Ryan Baker: (On the match) "There are times in sports when you're going to lose and you just get beat. Today was one of those matches. We just got beat. I give so much credit to Army. As a coach, you don't want your players to lose the match and we didn't; Army won the match.
"But we had some really heroic performances.
Alli Lowe was unstoppable; she looked like the player of the year.
Jessica Lathan off the bench did an amazing job and
Taylor Flaherty was so steady. We had some good moments, but I'm going to give all the credit to Army.
(On trying to beat a team for the third time) "Beating any team in the Patriot League three times is really hard. The Army coaches told me after the game that they had never won at Bender Arena in the playoffs, so they had some extra motivation. All credit goes to Army and their coaching staff. They had their kids playing their best.
(On postseason chances) "With our RPI, we have a chance to get into the NIVC, which I really hope happens for this team. To have the season they did, I don't want this one loss to be their lasting memory."
Up Next
• Colgate hopes to receive a bid to the National Invitational Volleyball Championship. Those selections are announced Dec. 1 after the NCAA tournament field has been determined.
Follow the Raiders
• For more information on the Colgate volleyball program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateVB and on Instagram at Colgate_VB.
