HAMILTON – The milestones continue to fall and Colgate Volleyball's success kept on rolling with a 3-1 victory over American on Saturday afternoon at Cotterell Court.
Sophie Thompson finished with six block assists to break the program's all-time record of 371 held by Autumn Mckenzie '97. Thompson stands alone at the top with 372 for her career. The Raiders have now won 12 in a row and remain unbeaten in Patriot League play.
Colgate had 13 total blocks as a team, holding American to a .116 hitting percentage. Carlie Rzeszotarski registered her second double-double of the season with 15 digs and 13 kills. Abby Shadwick added her third double-double in the last four matches with 11 kills and 11 digs.
"This was a total team win," said head coach Ryan Baker. "American is a very good team and makes you earn everything. Our team defense was very good tonight. Our setters made some good adjustments and our offense clicked at the end.
"I'm proud of Sophie for breaking the all-time block assist record. She puts her head down everyday and just works. She has earned everything she's ever received. I'm grateful to coach her."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: Colgate 25, American 17
Rzeszotarski came out firing and she had the Raiders in front 12-7 after three early kills and a service ace. American burned two quick timeouts before Colgate pulled in front 18-11 behind three blocks from Thompson, Libby Overmyer, and Gillian Hauschild. The Raiders pulled away from there, with back-to-back kills from Shadwick and Thompson clinching the set, 25-17.
Set 2: American 26, Colgate 24
A seesaw battle in the second set saw the early stages deadlocked at 10-10. Kills from Harper Snyder and Shadwick helped the Raiders surge ahead 16-12. American chipped away and eventually clawed even at 18-18 on the heels of a 6-2 burst. The teams traded shots before American finished with back-to-back kills to take the second set and draw even, 26-24.
Set 3: Colgate 25, American 14
Colgate bounced back in a big way to take the third frame. The Raiders raced out to an 8-4 lead and had the Eagles doubled up for most of the set. Thompson's block assist that made her the program record holder put the Raiders in front 19-9. Hauschild teamed up for the block – one of the team's five in the set – and Colgate cruised to the 25-14 triumph.
Set 4: Colgate 25, American 15
Colgate built a 10-2 lead and never looked back in the fourth and final set. Hauschild (5) and Overmyer (4) combined for nine of the team's 14 kills and Thompson contributed two service aces down the stretch to help the Raiders pull away for the 25-15 set and match victory.
UP NEXT
Colgate (14-4, 7-0 PL) is back on the road Sunday to take on Lafayette at 4 p.m.
