HAMILTON – Top-seeded Colgate is headed back to the Patriot League championship for the fourth consecutive year after knocking off fifth-seeded Navy 3-1 on Friday night in semifinal action at Cotterell Court.
The Raiders will make a run at their third consecutive Patriot League championship with a 2021 rematch against American. The two teams meet for the eighth time in the title match at 2 p.m. on Sunday with a trip to the NCAA tournament on the line.
Colgate is 2-5 against American in Patriot League championship matches, including its 3-1 triumph over the Eagles in 2021 at Cotterell Court.
"I wouldn't have expected anything different than an absolute battle tonight," head coach Ryan Baker said. "It was a back-and-forth match which has been the case many times. Navy had a lot of momentum coming into this match and was playing their best volleyball at the end of the season. I'm extremely proud that we never gave up and just kept fighting.
"It'll be another tough one versus American on Sunday. We are going to rest up, watch some film and get ready for championship Sunday."
Colgate's stifling defense racked up 11 blocks, including seven block assists from Greta Hoogstra. Frances Torres added five and Sophie Thompson finished with four.
Offensively, the Raiders were led by 14 kills from Abby Shadwick and 12 each from Gillian Hauschild and Milan Bayless.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: Colgate 25, Navy 12
Big defensive stops at the net from Hoogstra, Thompson, and Shadwick pushed the Raiders in front early, 11-5. Colgate had the Mids doubled up, 16-8, and then pulled away with a 6-0 surge capped by a kill from Hauschild. Another kill from Shadwick sealed the opening frame for the Raiders, 25-12.
Set 2: Colgate 25, Navy 23
The second set was tied, 7-7, when Colgate found its rhythm. Bayless landed a pair of kills in an 8-3 surge that carried the Raiders to a 15-10 edge. Colgate continued to lead but Navy made a big late run, climbing back to tie it 23-23 on a 6-1 run. Back-to-back blocks from Hoogstra, Carlie Rzeszotarski, and Torres put the set to bed, 25-23.
Set 3: Navy 25, Colgate 22
Set 3 saw nine ties and four lead changes. Navy took the upper hand of the back-and-forth set after three straight kills from Ava Toppin turned a 15-15 tie into a 19-15 edge. Back-to-back kills from Hauschild brought the Raiders within two (24-22), but Navy's Jamie Llewellyn finished off the set with a kill to give the Mids the 25-22 victory.
Set 4: Colgate 25, Navy 23
Colgate led 13-10 when Navy used a 3-0 surge to draw even in another seesaw battle. The teams traded shots late into the frame until Colgate raced on a 4-0 run capped off by a kill from Bayless. Navy came all the way back to tie the set at 23-23 and then pull in front 24-23, but Colgate's offensive force of Shadwick and Torres posted three unanswered points, sealing the set and match for the Raiders, 25-23.
UP NEXT
Colgate (21-7, 13-3 PL) and American (20-10, 11-5 PL) meet in the Patriot League championship on Sunday at Cotterell Court. First serve is set for 2 p.m.
