HAMILTON – Another dominant decision gave Colgate Volleyball its second Power Five win in five days with a 3-0 sweep over Syracuse Tuesday evening at Cotterell Court.
Colgate's fourth straight win marks the 28th consecutive home victory dating back to September 2021. Tuesday's win also marks the first time Colgate has beaten two Power Five conference opponents in the same season since 1993 when the 19-9 Raiders knocked off Syracuse and Boston College.
"This was a good mid-week win," said head coach Ryan Baker. "Our passing was very solid which allowed us to be very efficient. It's time to get back to work and get ready for league play to start."
The Raiders posted a season-best .395 hitting percentage led by 13 kills from Gillian Hauschild. Frances Torres and Harper Snyder added nine and five kills, respectively. Sophie Thompson racked up six more blocks to help Colgate's defense hold Syracuse to a .136 hitting clip.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: Colgate 25, Syracuse 12
Two early blocks and a kill from Snyder helped Colgate build an 8-3 lead. First-years Torres and Milan Bayless drilled two kills apiece and the Raiders stretched their lead to 12-5, forcing an early Syracuse timeout with everything clicking. The dominant set continued to the finish line, with Colgate scoring the final four points to seal the frame 25-12.
Set 2: Colgate 25, Syracuse 20
The visitors used three straight kills to open an early 8-3 lead. Colgate chipped away and eventually tied things at 9-9 after back-to-back attack errors from the Orange. Snyder, Torres, and Hauschild landed three straight kills in a 4-0 spurt to push Colgate in front 15-13. Thompson had two massive blocks down the stretch and Colgate raced away for the 25-20 victory.
Set 3: Colgate 25, Syracuse 17
Colgate's defense turned it up again in the final set. A block from Snyder and Abby Shadwick sparked an 8-2 burst that gave the Raiders a lead they never relinquished. Hauschild drilled three straight kills before Thompson's service ace stretched the margin to 14-7. Colgate was well in control down the stretch and sealed the 25-17 victory on a kill from Torres.
UP NEXT
Colgate (6-4) opens its Patriot League title defense this weekend with road matches at Bucknell on Saturday and Lehigh on Sunday. First serve for both matches is set for 4 p.m.
