HAMILTON – All six seniors made an appearance in the Colgate volleyball program's 3-0 sweep of Lafayette on Senior Night. Colgate's clean attack helped the Raiders rally to its improved 12-1 record in the Patriot League before tomorrow's final home match of the regular season against Lehigh.
Photo Gallery
HOW IT HAPPENED
After Colgate claimed the opening point behind a block by the combination of
Alex Stein and
Sophie Thompson, Lafayette was able to gain a 7-6 lead with an ace that just flipped over the tape. The Leopards used the momentum for a three-point run for an ultimate 9-7 advantage. After the Raiders came back to tie the game at 13s, Colgate would power ahead through the set.
A starter on Senior Night, middle blocker
Jessica Lathan sent back-to-back kills to the floor for a 6-0 scoring run and 19-13 edge for the Raiders. As Lafayette attempted to inch back with a pair of points, Colgate came out of their timeout with a kill by
Alli Lowe for a 22-17 lead. After fighting through seven tie scores and a pair of lead changes, Colgate was able to close out the game behind a three-point run for a 25-18 opening set win.
Far from deterred by Colgate's first set win, Lafayette opened the second game with strong play to build an early 6-1 lead. Colgate opted to use an early timeout, one in which they reset and came out of with a three-point run. It was when
Taylor Flaherty spiked a kill to the right side that the Raiders were brought back within one at 9-8. Lafayette would edge ahead once more, but a block by Lathan and Lowe shut down the Leopards to tie the game at 11s.
It would be Colgate's game for the remainder of the set as another four-point run increased its lead to 16-12. A standing ovation would take over Cotterell Court with two points remaining in the set, as senior
Michala Jepson entered the game after suffering a season-long injury to make an impact on Senior Night. In a game featuring a match-high of four lead changes, the Raiders powered ahead with the momentum to allow no additional ties or lead changes for a 25-17 win.
In search of the sweep on Senior Night, Colgate opened with a three-point scoring run behind another Lowe and Lathan block for a quick 5-3 advantage. Midway through, the Raiders scored six straight points for a 12-6 edge over Lafayette. Looking to narrow the game, Lafayette answered a challenge with a four-point run of its own to make it a two-point game. With a kill to the back line Lafayette brought the game back within two yet again, but Colgate responded with a Stein kill for a 15-12 advantage.
As Colgate continued its clean attack at the net, the conference foes were brought to match point behind a stellar center court kill by Lathan. With all fans on their feet, the Raiders were forced to rally as Lowe made a point-saving dig to keep the ball in play before
Hailey Horn-Bostel closed out the match with a stop at the net for the 25-18 win and 3-0 sweep of Lafayette.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Behind her 10-dig performance tonight, junior libero
Bridget Kolsky surpassed 1,000 digs in her career, currently recording 1,007. Up next, Kolsky looks to join the Colgate record books at 1,045 digs for top-10 in a career.
• Colgate's attack was not stopped with any blocks by Lafayette. It is a first since at least the 2009 campaign that the Raiders have held its opponent to 0.0 total team blocks.
• The Raiders hit their most efficient game of the season with a .373 team attack %.
• In addition to marking a season-high of five total blocks and 10 kills, junior outside hitter
Alli Lowe earned her second multi-ace match of the season with two at the back line.
• Senior
Taylor Flaherty recorded her fourth double-digit kill match of the year with 10 at the net, while hitting a season-best .714 attack %.
• Another well-rounded performance came from senior
Alex Stein with eight kills, six digs, two total blocks, and two service aces. It marks the fifth occasion that Stein has earned multiple aces in a match this season.
• Freshman
Cami Carfino earned eight digs in the back row, a high since tallying 13 at Loyola (Oct. 25).
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 3, Lafayette 0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-18)
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate now holds a 19-6 overall record, as well as an 12-1 mark in Patriot League play.
• Lafayette moves to 13-15 on the season, and 2-10 in conference action.
HEAD COACH RYAN BAKER'S TAKE
"I am extremely proud of how this team played. We were very efficient and focused.
Julia Kurowski set a wonderful match and led the entire time. As a coach, I am always nervous about how a team will play on Senior Night, but tonight we were tuned-in all aspects. Tomorrow will be another tough challenge against the League-leading blocking team."
UP NEXT
The Raiders conclude their home slate for the 2019 regular season tomorrow, Nov. 9, as they host Lehigh in continued Patriot League action. First serve is set for 3 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.
