LEWISBURG, Pa. – Sophie Thompson's 14 kills and seven block assists paved the way to Colgate's 3-1 victory over Bucknell in the Patriot League opener Saturday afternoon.
Thompson led three Raiders with double-digit kills. Milan Bayless (12) and Carlie Rzeszotarski (10) were big contributors to Colgate's offensive day, which finished with a .288 hitting percentage. Thompson's seven blocks anchored the Raider defense which held the Bison to a .162 clip.
"This was a typical Patriot League match," said Head Coach Ryan Baker. "Lots of momentum swings and great defensive plays. Bucknell made some very good adjustments with their block and defense after the first set which caused us some trouble. As the match went on, our setters did a good job finding our lefts and middles. We will have another tough road match tomorrow versus a good Lehigh team. We will learn from this win and be more ready to compete."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: Colgate 25, Bucknell 11
Colgate dominated the first set from start to finish. The Raiders established an early 4-0 lead and never looked back, eventually stretching the margin to 15-4 on the heels of a 7-0 spurt backed by kills from Bayless and Harper Snyder. Colgate scored the final four points after kills from Gillian Hauschild and Bayless sealed the opening frame, 25-11.
Set 2: Colgate 25, Bucknell 22
After hitting .500 in the first set, Colgate's percentage fell to .086 in the second set but its defense picked it up. Bucknell's adjustments helped the home team build a 12-7 lead, which the Bison maintained until kills from Hauschild and Thompson brought Colgate back even at 19-19. Rzeszotarski capped a late 4-0 run to complete the comeback for a 25-22 victory.
Set 3: Bucknell 25, Colgate 22
The Bison took a 7-4 lead and never looked back in the third set. Colgate closed within two points 15-13 on a service ace from Taylor Cigna and the teams traded points back and forth the rest of the way. The deficit was still two points (23-21) after Colgate scored back-to-back points on a kill from Bayless and an attack error, but the Bison closed out the stanza to stay alive, 25-22.
Set 4: Colgate 25, Bucknell 21
The fourth set had a similar script with back-and-forth action. Thompson landed a pair of kills as part of three unanswered points to pull the Raiders in front 15-14. Bucknell reclaimed the lead 21-20 before Colgate put together a championship run. Kills from Rzeszotarski, Thompson, and Claire Dewine highlighted the closing 5-0 surge to give the Raiders the victory.
UP NEXT
Colgate (7-4, 1-0 Patriot) continues Patriot League action Saturday afternoon at Lehigh at 4 p.m.
