HAMILTON – In its 13th match of the season, the Colgate volleyball program overcame an eight-point deficit in the fourth set to close out a 3-1 victory for its first win over American since 2012 in the Patriot League opener.
Photo Gallery
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Raiders opened Patriot League play with a strong start as a kill by
Hailey Horn-Bostel lifted the Raiders to a 6-1 edge. With a kill to the back row,
Alex Stein continued to increase the advantage to 17-11, but American was able to bring it back within three. Although Colgate edged ahead, American inched back yet again at 23-20, before a block by Horn-Bostel and
Julia Kurowski claimed the set point and 25-20 win.
After not allowing any tie scores or lead changes in the opening game, the second was much closer with 12 ties and six lead changes. Going point-for-point through 7s, American was able to earn a 9-7 advantage before the Raiders regained the lead at 11-9 with a swing by
Alli Lowe. An ace by Lowe tied the game at 15-15, but American persisted to push the points in its favor. It was when the Raiders had a point reversed for a 22-20 advantage that Colgate seemed to cruise along, but with a 5-1 run, American was able to even the match at 1-1.
It was in the third set that American was able to get off to the fast start, but the game became tied again at 10-10. Another back-and-forth set, a show-stopping block at the middle by
Sophie Thompson tied the game yet again at 14s. A 3-0 run by the Eagles increased their lead to 17-14, but a big swing to the back line by
Athena Leota narrowed American's lead to just two at 20-18. The Colgate comeback was closed out with an opportune sneak attack by Kurowski for the 25-23 win.
American forced the Raiders out of position early in the fourth set as it looked to force five and built a 6-2 edge early on.
Bridget Kolsky was able to sink one of Colgate's six service aces of the day, but the lead was only narrowed briefly as American held a steady 10-4 edge. As Colgate faced its largest deficit of the day, the Raiders went on a 3-0 run behind a block assist by Leota and Horn-Bostel to narrow American's lead to 15-9. After a 7-1 run by the Raiders pushed American to call a timeout, the score was just 16-13 and within reach.
Colgate was able to bring the game back within one at 20-19, before a solo block by Leota tied it all up at 21s. After as much of an eight-point deficit, Colgate was able to reclaim the lead at 23-22, propelling the Raiders to match point. With a combo block at the net, the Raiders shut down American's reign on the Patriot League matchup at 25-23 for the 3-1 victory.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• The victory marks Colgate's first win over American since the 2012 Patriot League Championship, snapping the Eagles' 16-match win streak in the head-to-head series.
• Topping the Raiders offense was junior
Alli Lowe with 19 kills. Added to the mark was six digs and one service ace.
• Just one dig shy of a double-double senior
Alex Stein marked 12 total kills while hitting .333, with nine digs on the night.
• The Raiders were effective at the back line notching six service aces, led by senior
Hannah Cannon with two for her second multi-ace match of the season.
• Leading the Raiders defensively was junior libero
Bridget Kolsky with 15 digs. It marks the 11th time in the season's 13 matches that Kolsky has notched double-digit digs.
• Freshman
Cami Carfino followed up her season-high 19-dig performance against VCU with her second consecutive double-digit dig match with 10.
• Effective on both sides of the ball, sophomore
Hailey Horn-Bostel recorded a career-high of nine kills with a team-high of six total blocks on the night.
• The Raiders started the match strong not sacrificing any tie scores or any lead changes. In overcoming their eight-point deficit to regain the lead in the fourth set, the Raiders didn't allow any other lead changes in the game.
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 3, American 1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-23, 25-23)
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate improves to an 8-5 overall record, and start Patriot League play 1-0.
• American holds a 7-7 mark on the year, with a 0-1 record in league play.
HEAD COACH RYAN BAKER'S TAKE
"This was a total team effort. I'm proud of how hard we played from the first point to the last. American is perennially a great team who is well-coached and shows great maturity. They don't give you any room for physical or mental mistakes. It was great to see our team demonstrate maturity and fight as well.
"
Julia Kurowski set a great match and our backrow was solid all night. It was fun to watch.
"We have another big match tomorrow against a good Loyola team with a lot of weapons. We need to refocus quickly and be ready to battle."
UP NEXT
The Raiders continue Patriot League play at home tomorrow, Sept. 28, as they welcome Loyola to Cotterell Court. 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.
