HAMILTON – In straight sets, the Colgate volleyball program claimed a 3-0 win of Lehigh on Friday evening. Not allowing any lead changes over the course of the match, the Raiders were strong at the back line and with stops at the net.
The series concludes on Sunday in Bethlehem, Pa.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Taking control of the match early, an ace by first-year
Taylor Cigna signaled a 3-0 lead for the Raiders. Lehigh opted to use an early timeout as Colgate ran ahead to a 5-0 lead shortly thereafter. As Colgate gained a 17-3 advantage, Lehigh went on an 8-2 run to narrow it to a 19-11 game. Although there could have been a momentum swing, Colgate was able to respond by plowing ahead with another ace by senior
Alli Lowe to bring the home team to set point. As first-year
Harper Snyder landed a kill to center court, she was able to close out the opening game win with a 25-16 victory.
After the first set included four aces, the Raiders' blocking game became more apparent in the second. Colgate made back-to-back stops at the net for an 8-3 advantage, but as Lehigh begin to narrow the game, a kill by sophomore
Athena Leota solidified the score at 15-7 midway through. The Mountain Hawks continued to stride and inched back within three, but another Lowe kill brought Colgate to set point for the second time on the night. Ultimately, Snyder closed it out again, as the Raiders went up two games to none.
Driven to take it in straight sets, the Raiders opened with a strong 6-1 start. Although Lehigh did come out of their early timeout with a point, it was one of few allowed for the remainder of the match as the Raiders ran ahead to a 25-13 victory to claim the 3-0 sweep of the Mountain Hawks in Patriot League play.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Leading the team offensively was senior
Alli Lowe as she swung for a team-high of 13 kills. She also nearly notched a double-double with her nine digs, on top of sinking a pair of service aces.
• Strong at the back line, the Raiders recorded eight total aces on the night, led by three from senior
Bridget Kolsky. The eight total aces match the two-time season-high from the 2019 campaign.
• Defensively, the team's 6.0 total blocks came by a team-high of five block assists by sophomore
Sophie Thompson. She also added four kills while swinging for a .375 hitting percentage.
• Making an impact early in her rookie season, first-year
Harper Snyder recorded eight kills with a team-high .727 hitting percentage.
• Overall, the Raiders only sacrificed two tie scores all night and didn't trail Lehigh at any point through the three games.
• The team had clean play, posting a match-high .571 team hitting percentage in the third set.
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 3, Lehigh 0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-13)
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate now holds a 2-1 overall record, with the same mark in Patriot League play.
• Lehigh begins its season 0-1 overall.
HEAD COACH RYAN BAKER'S TAKE
"I was really pleased with our defense tonight. We converted some very good swings off our dig which we didn't see last weekend.
"Harper [Snyder] had a very strong match for us and Sophie [Thompson] made some big blocks and swings as the match went on.
"It'll be a different match at their place. It's back to work tomorrow."
UP NEXT
The Raiders take to the road again as they travel to Lehigh for the series finale on Sunday afternoon. 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.
