EASTON, Pa. – Keeping it thrilling and close, the Colgate volleyball program battled through a five-set win on Friday evening at Lafayette.

In the match, Colgate's bench players highlighted the team's depth as steady contributors while Julia Kurowski and Alli Lowe recorded double-doubles to extend the program to a five-match win streak on the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Though it was even through the opening points, Colgate found itself down by six midway through the game. A block by Sophie Thompson ignited some energy into the squad before Harper Snyder narrowed it again to 18-13 with a backrow kill after a long rally. Try as they might though, the Raiders fell in the opening game as Lafayette closed it out with a block for a 25-17 decision.

In another close start, it was a sprawling dig by Ellen Hamlin that kept the play alive early before the Raiders claimed a quick 3-1 lead in the second game. Monster kills and several stops at the net propelled the Raiders to a 9-3 lead. More in their element, the Raiders ran ahead to a 20-9 advantage, but still had to call a timeout after a three-point run by the Leopards. After Lafayette got within six, a forced error by the Raiders claimed the 25-16 victory to even the match.

Just as the previous two games had, the third was off to a point-for-point start, where Lafayette began to trudge ahead to a four-point lead halfway through. Cleaning up eyes on the line and the serving game, Colgate continued to chip its way into the game. Stringing together a run at set point, the first Colgate ace came on the fourth set point by Julia Kurowski to temporarily deny the Leopards, however after five set points, Lafayette claimed the game 25-19.

Hungry to force a fifth, the Raiders stepped back out onto the court to build a 3-0 start. Rolling in the fourth with clean play and defensive action at the net, Colgate trudged ahead to build a steady lead throughout the game. Bringing the Raiders to set point was Libby Overmyer as she hammered home a kill, before Colgate sealed the 25-15 win.

After forcing a fifth, the Raiders looked to keep the momentum going. That's exactly what they did as they opened with a confident 4-0 lead. Lafayette cut the gap to just one point, but the energy on Colgate's side of the court put it ahead 8-5 midway through behind an ace by Taylor Cigna. With a kill off the block, Overmyer propelled the Raiders to match point, before closing out the five-set comeback at 15-8 for a five-set win streak.
 
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• It was a second straight double-double for senior Alli Lowe as she recorded 19 kills and 15 digs. She also surpassed 1,300 career digs, now tallying 1,301 to sit in fourth all-time in program history.
• Another double-double came by the setter Julia Kurowski as she posted 43 assists and 14 digs. It marks her team-leading fourth double-double in the season's seven matches.
• Posting her second 20-plus dig performance of the season was senior Bridget Kolsky with 21. She now holds an even 1,200 digs in her career.
• First-years Libby Overmyer and Harper Snyder both had strong matches making an impact on the court. Overmyer recorded a season-high of 15 kills, while Snyder had a well-rounded performance that included nine kills and three solo blocks.
• Cleaning up the attack, Colgate held a 60-29 edge in kills with a .242-.083 advantage in hitting percentage.
• With the win, the Raiders extend to a 27-match win streak against the Leopards.
• It marked Colgate's second five-set win of the season, while the Raiders are 2-0 when advancing to five games.
• Colgate didn't sacrifice any lead changes or tie scores through their fourth and fifth set wins.
 
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 3, Lafayette 2 (17-25, 25-16, 19-25, 25-15, 15-8)
 
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate improves to a 6-1 Patriot League record.
• Lafayette drops to 2-4 in league play.
 
HEAD COACH RYAN BAKER'S TAKE
"I loved how our team kept fighting even down 2-1 in sets. I know that you should never count this team out. Our seniors were again very steady, which is what we need on the road against a scrappy and high-energy Lafayette team.
 
"Our depth showed again tonight as we had a lot of contribution from players coming off the sidelines. We will watch film tomorrow and see what improvements we need to make for Sunday."
 
UP NEXT
The Raiders return home to Cotterell Court to host the Leopards in the series finale on Sunday. First serve on Senior Day celebrating graduating senior Bridget Kolsky is set for 4 p.m. on ESPN+.
 
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate volleyball program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateVB and on Instagram at Colgate_VB.