HAMILTON, N.Y. - Very tight third and fourth sets both failed to go the way of the American University volleyball team as the Eagles (7-7, 0-1) dropped their Patriot League opener at Colgate (8-5, 1-0) on Friday night. The Raiders took the first set 25-20 before AU answered with a 25-23 win in the second. Colgate then won the third and fourth sets by that same two-point margin, 25-23.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The pivotal fourth set appeared to be nearly a lock for AU as the Eagles held a 15-6 lead halfway through, but they slowly let Colgate come all the way back. After ties at 21-all, 22-all and 23-all, a Colgate kill and an AU error sealed the loss for the Eagles.
- Freshman Zeynep Uzen had an outstanding match for AU with a season-high 14 kills and a hitting percentage of .414, marking her second straight match of hitting over .400.
- Uzen also made it her first collegiate double-double, adding a season-best 12 digs.
- AU senior Kristen Largay led all players with 22 digs, and junior Helena Elbaek posted 10 kills.
- Colgate jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the first set and never relinquished it, ultimately finishing with 19 team kills to American's 12, along with adding a pair of aces.
- AU was leading early in the second set before a 4-0 run put the Raiders on top, but the Eagles battled right back with a 5-0 run including two kills from senior Jeanne Westney to take a 14-11 lead. From there, the score stayed within two points the rest of the way. A Colgate service error followed by an Olivia Wassner kill gave AU the set and a 1-1 tie in the match.
- The third set was tight all the way through, with just a couple extra Colgate kills at the end making the difference.
- AU had huge leads in the fourth set at 12-5 and 15-6, but the Raiders were able to come all the way back. AU kept its composure with the lead lost, but Colgate's Alli Lowe came on strong in the end to give her team the win.
NEXT UP
- AU will play its second league match at Army West Point on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 4 p.m.
