WORCESTER, Mass. – Clean play and team depth propelled the Colgate volleyball program to a sweep of  Holy Cross on Sunday afternoon.

The teams meet again next weekend, beginning in Worcester on Friday, before returning to Cotterell Court on Sunday, March 14.

HOW IT HAPPENED
A three-ace opening set sent Colgate ahead to a quick 25-15 win over the Crusaders. Using that momentum, the Raiders entered the second set and built a 3-0 lead, but in a game of runs, Holy Cross came back within one at 5-4. It was then as Alli Lowe took to the back line and served for four straight points that Colgate regained its steady lead.

After a second set win of 25-18 that didn't include any tie scores or any lead changes, the conference foes went into a third set battle. The teams exchanged five lead changes and faced tie scores on 10 occasions. However, Colgate's clean play produced a game-best team hitting percentage of .467 to close out the match strong.

On their way to building a 7-1 run to close out the third game, Libby Overmyer produced a match-high of seven kills, before Lowe officially closed it out at 25-17 for the sweep.  
 
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Earning her first double-double of the season was senior Alli Lowe behind a team-high of 15 kills paired with 10 digs.
• Also standing out at the net was first-year Libby Overmyer as she recorded a season-high of 14 kills while swinging a .565 hitting percentage.
• Also making an impact in her first year was Harper Snyder. She produced nine kills while hitting .600, and added two block assists on the night.
• In the back row, senior libero Bridget Kolsky notched a season-high of 16 digs.
• Keeping a clean attack, the Raiders combined for a season-high .396 hitting percentage.
• The Raiders only sacrificed two tie scores and zero lead changes throughout the first two sets. On the night, the squad battled through a total of 12 ties and five lead changes to close out the sweep.
• Colgate improves to 55-7 all-time against Holy Cross while extending to a five-match win streak against the Crusaders in head-to-head action.
 
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 3, Holy Cross 0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-17)
 
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate now holds a 5-1 Patriot League record.
• Holy Cross drops to 2-2 in league play.
 
HEAD COACH RYAN BAKER'S TAKE
"It was one of the best matches I've been a part of in my time at Colgate. The players were sharp in all areas. It was one of those times you hope you can capture and recreate. It's a sign of the leadership our captains are providing. This team is tough.
 
"Julia [Kurowski] set a beautiful match and our hitters executed very well. 
 
"We are getting better and more consistent each day. It's a fun group to coach and they take joy in each other's success."
 
UP NEXT
The Raiders return to Worchester, Mass. for another matchup against Holy Cross on Friday, March 12. First serve is set for 6 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.