Oct. 18, 2008

Box Score

WASHINGTON - The American University volleyball team defeated Colgate on Saturday, 3-0, to remain unbeaten in the Patriot League and extend its winning streak to 10 matches. AU is now 6-0 in the conference. Senior Rubena Sukaj and freshman Rebecca Heath each tallied double-digit kills for the Eagles in the win.

AU's straight-set win came by set scores of 25-22, 25-16 and 25-23. The Eagles cruised through the early portion of set one and led by as many as seven points, 20-13. AU used a 7-2 run to open their lead after being tied with Colgate early, 4-4. The Raiders made a game of the set late however as they charged back and brought the score to within two, 24-22, off consecutive kills. American kept its composure though and took set point, 25-22, as the veteran tandem of Sukaj and classmate Christina Nash hooked up on the outside for one of Sukaj's three kills in the set.

American and Colgate were locked in a tight battle for much of the second set as the teams traded blows back and forth. AU looked to pull away from the Raiders midway through the frame, taking a four point lead, 13-9, but Colgate would not go away easily and tied the score again at 14. Tied at 15, the Eagles finally pulled as away Claire Recht and Heath recorded consecutive kills to take a two point lead. After a service error by Sukaj, Ann Recht notched a kill before four straight errors by the Raiders broke open the game. A kill by Nash gave AU set point and it was yet another Colgate error which gave the set to American, 25-16.

The Eagles appeared to be cruising to victory in the third set after opening a five point lead early, 11-6, before a Raider timeout halted AU's momentum. Coming out of the stoppage, Colgate would go on an 8-1 run to overtake American, 14-12, and would push its advantage to as many as five points, 21-16. AU answered Colgate's run immediately as Heath scored three straight kills and Nash and C. Recht teamed up for a block to bring the score to within one, 21-20. A Colgate timeout did little to upset the Eagles rhythm as they retied the set at 23 and after a Heath service ace American took match point, 25-23, on a Raider error.

AU was led in the match by Sukaj and Heath who each recorded double-digit kills. Sukaj led all scorers with 15 kills and added eight digs and four block assists on defense. Heath tallied 11 kills in the win while hitting .333 for the match and adding four digs. A. Recht and C. Recht recorded five and six kills, respectively, and totaled three and five blocks, respectively. Nash notched 40 assists to lead AU to a combined .284 hitting percentage. Junior Ivana Cebakova led AU's defensive unit with 13 digs as the Eagles held Colgate to a .124 hitting percentage.

The Eagles will be in action again on Friday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. in Bender Arena against Army as the AU Department of Athletics kicks off its First Annual Alumni and Friends Weekend. Live video of the match will be available via Eagle Vision All*Access by clicking here.