HAMILTON, N.Y. -- Colgate slowed down the Navy offense just enough to hold off a late rally by the Mids and win a four-set decision Friday night at Cotterell Court in Hamilton, N.Y., in the semifinal round of the Patriot League Tournament.  The top-seeded Raiders (21-7) posted a 25-12, 25-23, 22-25, 26-24 win over the fifth-seeded Mids (18-9).

"Obviously we hoped for a different result," said Navy head coach Paco Labrador, "but we have a lot to be proud of this season.  I'm a lucky coach who can always count on this team staying in the fight.  That's a testament to our senior leadership.  Our program is in a great place to make another big surge ahead in the years to come due in large part to the legacy the Class of 2024 leaves behind."

Set One
Colgate took an early lead and never let Navy climb too close.

Navy struggled to find an offensive rhythm as the Mids had seven kills and 11 attack errors (-.100).  Colgate produced a late surge of hitting success toward the end that boosted it to 10 kills and four errors (.214) by the close of the set.

Set Two
Colgate used a 5-0 run to take a 16-11 lead.  Navy closed to within 18-16 only to see the Raiders open a 23-18 advantage.  The Mids answered with a 5-0 run to tie the frame at 23-23.  Colgate notched back-to-back kills on the next two points to take a 2-0 lead.

Set Three
Navy held several early three-point leads, then Colgate took a 13-10 advantage.  The score was tied at 15-15 when the Mids went on a 5-0 run -- three points were courtesy of kills from Ava Toppin -- to take a 20-15 lead.  It soon was a 23-17 Navy lead, but Colgate posted a pair of points to make the score 23-19 and lead to a Navy timeout.

Another Colgate kill made it a three-point difference at 23-20.  Paige Buzzerio responded with a kill to take the Mids to set point with a 24-20 advantage.  Colgate kept the set going with a kill, then Jamie Llewellyn recorded a kill to force a fourth set.

Set Four
Colgate took leads of 11-7 and 12-8, but Navy tied the stanza at 15-15.  The Raiders scored the next four points on their way to take a 20-16 lead.  The Mids sliced the deficit in half (20-18) only to see Colgate tale leads of 22-18 and 23-19.  A Colgate service error followed by back-to-back attack errors pulled Navy to within one point, then a Jamie Llewellyn kill knotted the score at 23-23.  Setter Averi Miller ended the ensuing point with a kill to give the Mids a 24-23 lead and a serve for the set.  After Colgate returned the serve, the Mids were unable to get a solid swing on the ball and that led to an attack error and Colgate tying the score again.  The Raiders would post kills on the next two points to win the match.

Statistical Notes
Colgate more than doubled the number of blocks recorded by Navy, 11-5, which resulted in the Raiders outhitting the Mids, .218-.120. Colgate also held a 56-48 edge in kills and a 5-2 lead in service aces.

Llewellyn posted a double-double of 15 kills and 10 digs in her final match.  She was the lone Mid to reach double figures in kills.  Also recording a double-double was Miller with 17 assists and 12 digs.  She shared the Navy lead in digs with Hannah Hoover.   Also, Toppin tallied seven kills and a team-high four blocks.

"We had some clutch play from our underclassmen tonight," said Labrador.  "We really started battling in the third set when we had three freshmen and one sophomore on the floor.  The future is certainly bright.

"Ava had another dominant night.  Her play ignited our side when we needed it the most."