WASHINGTON - The start of Patriot League play was not what American University volleyball hoped for, as the Eagles (6-7, 0-1) were swept by Colgate (6-7, 3-1) in Bender Arena on Saturday evening.

NOTABLE

• Colgate's sweep of AU was its first since 2012, in a series that heavily favors American by a margin of 43-7.
• Junior Zeynep Uzen was the leader for the Eagles with 14 kills, also posting nine digs.
• One of the most efficient performances of the match and the season belonged to senior Carlie Fikse, who recorded 11 kills with just one error and hit .556.
• Senior Fanny Ahman had a match-high 13 digs, and junior Inbal Peleg led AU with 18 assists.
• Previously the Eagles' libero, graduate student Chiara Bosetti has proven to be versatile on the court and put up four kills to go with nine digs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The opening set was a tight one most of the way, but the final tie came at 15-15 before Colgate took the lead for good. 
• Allie Lowe, who finished the match with 20 kills to lead all players, posted eight of those in the first set and knocked down back-to-back kills for the final two points in a 25-21 set loss for the Eagles, who were out-hit .395 to .190.
• The 12th tie of a very close second set came at 21-21, but once again it was Lowe who came on strong to push Colgate to a 25-22 set win and a 2-0 lead in the match.
• Uzen was a force in the third set with eight of her 14 kills, and it was another close one with 10 ties and seven lead changes.
• AU was within two points, down 21-19, but Lowe kept her team on top. She posted three more kills in Colgate's final four points as the Raiders won the set 25-21.

NEXT UP

• The Eagles will be back in action on Sunday, Sept. 26 to host Holy Cross at 1 p.m. There will be live stats but no ESPN+ broadcast for that match.

KEEP UP WITH US

• For the latest on American University Volleyball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_Volleyball), Facebook (/AU.Volleyball) and Instagram (@au_volleyball).