COLUMBIA, Mo. -- It was a successful opening to a promising 2023 volleyball season for the Raiders as they rallied from both a set down and a late deficit in the fourth set to defeat the Central Arkansas Bears 3-1 at the Mizzou Classic hosted by the University of Missouri.

"This was a very good opening win versus a very strong defensive Central Arkansas team," said Head Coach Ryan Baker. "They are well coached and played us really hard. Overall, I loved our fight. We showed that we can come back at key times and not give in. Our blocking really stood out which is something we feel is our strength this season. I'm excited to get a win and see our growth throughout the weekend."

The deciding fourth set saw a late comeback by the Raiders to score the victory. Trailing 21-23 Colgate took a timeout and responded immediately with a 6-2 run to secure the match. A Carlie Rzeszotarski attack began the run followed by another from Gillian Hauschild to tie the set at 23. Colgate scored its third straight point on a block by Sophie Thompson and Milan Bayless to give the Raiders their first match point. Central Arkansas refused to give in as an attack error tied the set at 24 and took the lead on another Colgate error for a potential set point. A block by Bayless evened the match sending it to extra serves. On the ensuing point Bayless and Greta Hoogstra earned a block, and Hauschild made Colgate's second match point pay off with a successful attack and a 27-25 fourth set and match victory.
 
The first set was a nailbiter with neither team able to gain more than a three-point advantage. The Raiders took a 12-10 lead on an attack from Rzeszotarski with the Bears rallying to tie the match at 12-12. A service error by the Bears gave the Raiders their last lead of the set at 13-12. Four consecutive points by Central Arkansas forged a 16-13 lead for the Bears. Colgate rallied to within a point at 20-21 and 22-23 but two successful attacks closed out the first set for the Bears.

Colgate wasted no time establishing dominance in set number two forging a 6-0 lead to open play on service points from Rachael Martinez. Rzeszotarski had two successful attacks and Thompson had a block and block assist to fuel the run. Central Arkansas was never able to shrink the deficit lower than three points as the Raiders cruised to a 25-15, with the set point coming on a block by Bayless and Hoogstra.

Set number three saw Colgate fall behind 0-3. The Bears' lead increased to 11-6 on a service ace forcing a Raider timeout. A Rzeszotarski attack shrunk the lead to 11-7 out of the timeout, but Central Arkansas scored three straight before a pair of Rzeszotarski aces sandwiched around an attack by Thompson halted the streak and pulled the Raiders within 11-14. Following a point by the Bears, Colgate ran off six of the next seven points to take a 17-16 lead on a block by Bayless and Hoogstra. Central Arkansas tied the set, but consecutive points by Colgate gave the Raiders a 19-17 lead and caused the Bears to take a timeout. A block by Hoogstra and Claire Dewine increased the lead to 20-17 as the Bears scored consecutive points to close the gap to 21-20. A block by Thompson and Dewine gave the Raiders a two- point advantage that increased to 23-20 on a Bears' attack error. A service error made the score 23-21 and a block by Rzeszotarski brought the Raiders to set point. The Bears had another successful attack before bowing out with a service error and a 25-22 Raider victory.

The match statistics were as close as the play was throughout. Colgate had 49 successful attacks to 48 for Central Arkansas. The bears had a 46-45 advantage in assists and a 61-55 edge in digs, while the Raiders had 15 blocks to just seven for Central Arkansas. Rzeszotarski led Colgate with 15 kills and Hauschild tallied 13. Dewine notched 25 assists while Martinez had 21 digs.

UP NEXT
The Raiders face Illinois State University on Saturday, August 26, in the second round of the Mizzou Classic. Match time is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET 
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