Colgate Draws Kansas in NCAA Tournament
NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship Bracket HAMILTON –
The NCAA released its 64-team field for the Division I Women's Volleyball Championship and Colgate will meet Kansas in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+.Colgate (19-12, 14-2 Patriot) captured its fourth consecutive Patriot League championship under 19th-year head coach Ryan Baker. The Raiders, who secured their fourth regular season title in as many years, bested Lehigh 3-1 in the semifinals and battled back to defeat Army 3-2 in a five-set title marathon.
"We are honored to represent Colgate and the Patriot League in the NCAA tournament," Baker said. "It's always special seeing your name appear on the big screen. The feeling never gets old."
Senior Abby Shadwick was named the Patriot League Tournament MVP after posting 41 kills (4.56 kps) and a .316 hitting percentage to go with four service aces, 24 digs (2.67 dps), and five total blocks. She was joined on the All-Tournament Team by fifth-year senior Taylor Cigna and sophomore Frances Torres.
The Raiders are led by sophomore Milan Bayless, who became the first sophomore to earn Patriot League Player of the Year honors since 2016. Bayless leads the team in kills (333), averaging 3.26 kills per frame along with a .250 hitting percentage. Shadwick and Bayless were both All-League First Team honorees.
Colgate is making its eighth NCAA tournament appearance and fifth since Baker took the helm in 2012. The Raiders carry a seven-match win streak into their tourney bout with Kansas (24-4, 15-3 Big 12), which will be the second meeting between the two teams this year. The Jayhawks bested the Raiders 3-0 on Sept. 1 in Durham, N.C.
The Raiders are 3-9 all-time against current members of the Big 12, with their most recent win coming last season in a 3-2 victory over West Virginia at Cotterell Court. Colgate faced two teams from the conference in 2024 – Kansas and Iowa State.
"Kansas is a great team," Baker continued. "We had the opportunity to play them opening weekend so we have a slight familiarity with them. They are well coached, very disciplined, and someone we have great respect for. I'm excited to spend more time with this team. We never take these opportunities for granted."
Friday's winner will play the winner of Florida-NC State on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Players Mentioned
- OH
- 5' 11"
- Sophomore
- L
- 5' 9"
- Fifth Year
- OH
- 6' 2"
- Senior
- OH/RS
- 6' 0"
- Sophomore
Players Mentioned
- 5' 11"
- Sophomore
- OH
- 5' 9"
- Fifth Year
- L
- 6' 2"
- Senior
- OH
- 6' 0"
- Sophomore
- OH/RS
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