CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Behind a strong defensive game, the Colgate volleyball program earned a 3-0 sweep over Rhode Island in the opening match of the Harvard Tournament. The Raiders continue action tomorrow against the home team Harvard at 1 p.m., followed by Sacred Heart at 5 p.m.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The play went point-for-point in the opening set through 15s before Colgate's blocking game became prevalent to the result. The Raiders then went on a five-point run to gain a 21-18 edge heading into a Rhode Island timeout. Stein brought the Raiders to set point with a kill, before the game was closed out with a Bridget Kolsky ace.

After totaling 5.0 blocks in the opening set, the Raiders came out with even more consistency in the second game to hold a steady four-point edge. Colgate finally gained a five-point advantage at 19-14 before the squad earned its largest lead of the match at 21-15 after a kill off the right side by Hailey Horn-Bostel. The Rams inched back to bring the game within two at 22-10, but Stein's 11th kill of the match came off the block to gain a 2-0 advantage over Rhode Island.

Sophomore setter Julia Kurowski entered the third set eyeing her fourth-straight double-double as she held 22 assists and nine digs. It was another back-and-forth start, before Rhode Island took over the lead for the first time at 6-5. It was far from the end of Colgate's battle though, as a kill by Taylor Flaherty put the Raiders back at a significant advantage at 11-7. The Raiders continued to advance their lead, pushing Rhode Island to call an early timeout with Colgate collecting a 14-9 edge, and called another with the Raiders leading 19-14. As Colgate's momentum continued to build, a block by Horn-Bostel and Kurowski brought the Raiders to match point, before sealing the first sweep of the season with a 25-18 final.
 
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Behind 35 assists and 11 digs, sophomore setter Julia Kurowski notched her fourth-straight double-double of the season.
• Leading the team offensively was senior Alex Stein behind 17 kills. The outside hitter has led the squad in kills through two of the season's four matches thus far.
• A major factor in the game, Colgate held a dominant 13.0-2.0 advantage in total team blocks.
• A standout at the net, freshman Sophie Thompson led the Raiders with six total blocks. A new career-high in her early collegiate career, Thompson tallied one solo and five block assists on the day.
• Three Raiders marked double-digit digs, including junior Bridget Kolsky's 10 on the afternoon.
• Kolsky has marked double-digit digs in all four matches this season, and with three service aces in today's match, has had a trio of multi-ace performances.
 
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 3, Rhode Island 0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-18)
 
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate improves to a 3-1 overall record.
• Rhode Island drops to a 1-3 record on the year.
 
HEAD COACH RYAN BAKER'S TAKE
"We did a good job responding throughout the match. Rhode Island was very scrappy and made us earn everything. Our block and back row did a great job neutralizing their attack. Hailey Horn-Bostel and Sophie Thompson were difference makers in their attack and block. Tomorrow will be another battle and we need to stay focused."
 
UP NEXT
The Raiders round out the Harvard Tournament tomorrow with a doubleheader. Play for Colgate opens against the home team in Harvard at 1 p.m., followed by Sacred Heart at 5 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.