HAMILTON, N.Y. –
The American University volleyball team defeated Colgate in four sets on Saturday, completing the season sweep of the Raiders to remain undefeated in Patriot League play at 9-0. AU's middle blockers were excellent in the win, as
Elise Sterling and
Prinzez Zeck combined for 21 kills and eight blocks.
Notable
- The Eagles dropped the first set of the match, having to play from behind for the first time since Sept. 18 at Holy Cross.
- Sterling led AU's offensive production, striking 12 kills on a .364 hitting percentage. Zeck followed right behind her with nine kills at a .333 clip. Defensively, Sterling had three blocks and Zeck led the team with five.
- Setter Deniz Dakak had a widespread performance, contributing five kills in addition to 32 assists, seven digs, two aces, and three blocks.
- Sophie Dufour went for nine kills on the outside to round out the attacking effort.
- Senior outside hitter Salme Hollas led AU in digs for the first time this season, recording 11. Bella Marrero followed with nine digs.
- Alex Ioannou contributed on both sides of the ball, dishing out four assists, with two service aces and five digs.
- The Eagles have now won 10 matches in a row.
How it Happened
Set 1: Colgate 25, American 12
- The Eagles took a punch in the mouth from Colgate in the first set, as the Raiders hit .333 to AU's -.043.
- American's only led came at 2-1, and the home side controlled the rest of the frame. Morgan Reese paced the the Raider offense with three kills.
- AU had seven attack errors and just six kills, and added further damage with four service errors.
Set 2: American 25, Colgate 15
- It was a swift response from the Eagles, hitting .345 in the second stanza to win it comfortably.
- Tied 2-2, AU went on a 6-1 run take a commanding lead early. Hollas started it with a kill, Ioannou landed back-to-back service aces, and Sterling capped it off with a block after a Colgate service error.
- The Eagles grabbed a 10-point lead after another 6-1 run in the second half of the set, highlighted by Zeck and Sciborksi. The pair shared a block on the spurt, and each had two kills to bring the lead to 19-9.
- Dufour led the way with Zeck, as both of them notched four kills.
Set 3: American 25, Colgate 22
- The third set was a tight battle, and a composed finish won it for American.
- The Eagles trailed 15-12 midway through, but a 4-0 run brought them level at 15-15. Colgate committed a service error and two attack errors, one that was caused by a Zeck and Hollas block.
- Trading points, AU eventually took a 20-19 lead and powered to the finish line. Two kills from Dufour, a block from Zeck and Dakak, and kill from Sciborski sealed the win.
Set 4: American 25, Colgate 19
- The Eagles played a confident final frame to close out the match, never trailing on the way to the victory.
- Zeck powered AU with five kills, while Sterling and Dakak each had three.
- The Raiders stayed within striking distance of American throughout the set, but the turning point came with the score 17-14. The Eagles scored four straight points through two kills from Sciborski and one from Zedo Yilmaz, along with a Colgate service error.
- Zeck, Sterling, and Dakak provided the final points for AU with kills, in addition to a block from Sterling and Yilmaz.
Up Next
- The Eagles return home to face Army next Friday, Oct. 23 at 6 p.m.
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