HAMILTON – Colgate's dominant Patriot League run will have another chapter after the Raiders won their third consecutive championship with a 3-0 sweep of American in front of an energetic packed crowd on Sunday afternoon at Cotterell Court. 

Colgate became the first team to three-peat as champions since American won five straight 2013-17. The two teams have combined for 11 of the 13 conference titles dating back to 2010, with Sunday's win giving the Raiders eight Patriot League championships.

"I'm truly at a loss for words," head coach Ryan Baker said. "Winning is something I've never taken for granted, but to do it three times in a row is just incredible. Somebody needs to pinch me and wake me up. This is a testament to a lot of hard work and commitment from our current and past players, our administration, our support staff, our alumni, and our community. As the saying goes, 'it takes a village.'

"This was a very tough championship match. I give great credit to the American players and coaches for an incredible season. They've been very hot of late and they were on fire right out of the gate. We showed great resilience. I was so impressed with our composure and belief throughout the championship weekend. Our seniors set a championship standard on the first day of preseason and made sure everyone lived by them each and every day. I'd also like to thank my staff. They work tirelessly and are owed a lot for their sacrifices and dedication. We are excited to see who we are going to play in the NCAAs."  

Colgate's first-year duo of Milan Bayless and Frances Torres fittingly led the Raiders in kills with 13 and 12, respectively. Sophie Thompson had six block assists, while Greta Hoogstra had four. Abby Shadwick, Torres, and Bayless each finished with three. 

Taylor Cigna, the 2023 Patriot League Tournament MVP, had a team-high 17 digs following her 16-dig performance in Friday's semifinal win over Navy. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

Set 1: Colgate 30, American 28
American raced out to an 8-2 lead and kept it for most of the set. Kills from Bayless and Torres pulled the Raiders within 11-8. American still held a three-point lead 20-17 when Colgate made a championship run. Cigna landed a pair of service aces in a 5-0 burst to put the Raiders in front 23-21. American fought back to have set point three times, but Colgate wouldn't give in. Two kills from Claire Dewine gave the Raiders the upper hand, and Shadwick sealed the victory with a kill down the line, 30-28. 

Set 2: Colgate 25, American 12
Colgate took charge with five straight kills from first-years Bayless and Torres, including three in a row from Bayless, fueling a 12-5 advantage. The Raiders' attack was on point for the entirety of the frame, posting a .389 hitting clip. Defensively, blocks from Thompson, Torres, and Gillian Hauschild held the Eagles to a .029 percentage in the set and helped the Raiders pull away for the dominant victory, 25-12. 

Set 3: Colgate 25, American 19
The Eagles got off to a hot start in the third set, building an early 9-4 lead and then 13-9. Colgate once again turned the tables with a big run, this time a 6-0 burst highlighted by a service ace from Dewine giving the Raiders a 16-13 advantage. The Eagles chipped away and eventually drew even 18-18 on a kill by Zeynep Uzen before Hoogstra landed two kills and a block in a 6-0 Raider response capped off by an ace from Rachael Martinez. With match point, Torres' kill sealed the title, 25-19, sending Cotterell Court into a frenzy.

UP NEXT
Colgate (22-7, 13-3 PL) will learn its next destination when the NCAA releases the 64-team tournament bracket during the selection show at 6 p.m. next Sunday, Nov. 26, airing live on ESPN.