BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Colgate capped off the opening weekend of Patriot League play with a 3-0 sweep of Lehigh to run its winning streak to six matches Sunday afternoon.
Backed by a balanced effort on both sides of the net, Colgate snapped Lehigh's three-match winning streak and is off to a 2-0 start to Patriot League play for the third consecutive year.
"I'm extremely proud of our team's fight and resiliency in the match tonight," said Head Coach Ryan Baker. "Lehigh is off to a very strong start this season and we knew we were going to have to be locked in. This was a special win on the road in straight sets.
"Sydney kept our hitters in great rhythm which allowed us to find some seams against one of the best blocking teams in the league. Our competitive spirit and defensive intensity made the difference in the end. We look forward to being in front of our fans this weekend."
Libby Overmyer turned in her best performance of the season statistically, compiling 14 kills to go with four service aces and a .346 hitting percentage. Gillian Hauschild also posted double-digit kills (10) while Sydney Jones racked up 33 assists. Harper Snyder led the team with three blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: Colgate 25, Lehigh 23
The first set saw Colgate climb out of a late deficit with a 6-0 closing run. Lehigh broke away from a 9-9 score with a 7-3 surge to build a 16-12 advantage. Colgate immediately responded with three straight points on kills from Sophie Thompson and Milan Bayless. The Mountain Hawks pulled in front 23-19 before Colgate's final surge, led by three aces from Overmyer to win the set.
Set 2: Colgate 25, Lehigh 17
A back-and-forth second set saw multiple momentum swings before the Raiders closed it out with a 6-0 run for the second consecutive frame. Colgate eventually led 16-13 on the heels of a 4-0 burst thanks to kills from Carlie Rzeszotarski, Hauschild, and Bayless. Lehigh closed within 19-17 before Colgate's final spurt, with kills from Snyder and Hauschild capping the set.
Set 3: Colgate 25, Lehigh 18
After trading early points in another seesaw battle, Abby Shadwick's kill midway through the third set gave the Raiders the lead for good 16-13. Colgate later scored four unanswered points after a service ace by Lilly Saleeby stretched the lead to 21-15. Overmyer's 14th and final kill of the night fittingly ended the match with the Raiders securing the 3-0 sweep.
UP NEXT
Colgate (8-4, 2-0 Patriot) hosts Navy at 6 p.m. on Friday for a Patriot League championship rematch at Cotterell Court. The Raiders are back home Saturday against Loyola at 4 p.m.
