WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross volleyball team led 2-1 following three sets, but it wasn't enough as four-time defending Patriot League Tournament Champion Colgate rallied to take the match in five, 3-2 in Blaney Gymnasium Friday evening.

The setback was the 19th overall and ninth in league play for the Crusaders. The Raiders improved to 15-6 and remained unblemished in conference action at 10-0.

SET SCORES:
Raiders 3, Crusaders 2 (25-21, 15-25, 25-22, 15-25, 5-15)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Holy Cross took an early 4-2 lead off a pair of freshman middle blocker Isa Glover kills. The Raiders ended up leveling the score 10-10 before the Crusaders strung together four straight with junior outside hitter Taliah Lee tipping a ball home and burying an attack attempt for the 14-10 margin. Holy Cross challenged a touch call and it awarded Lee another kill for the 15-11 score. A pair of Colgate errors moved the Holy Cross edge to 18-13. Back-to-back-to-back Colgate blocks at net pulled them within two, 22-20. Holy Cross ended up winning the first set 25-21.
• With the match tied 6-6, Colgate used a 7-2 run to lead 13-8 in the early portion of the second set. The guests lead expanded to seven, 18-11 off a back row kill. Holy Cross produced the next two points as sophomore middle blocker Lacey Murphy slid and converted an attack attempt dropping the deficit to 18-13. Colgate took the set 25-15.
• Senior setter Katie Russell set up Murphy for the 6-4 Crusader margin in the early stages of the third set. Sophomore defensive specialist Alana Whitwell notched a service ace putting her team ahead 8-5. Colgate regained control of the lead off a 7-1 burst to turn the deficit into a 12-9 advantage. Two kills on the outside by Lee and a freshman outside hitter Emma Sorensen ace was part of five straight for the Crusaders which gave them 16-15 lead. Holy Cross pulled away with Sorensen tallying the final kills for the 2-1 match lead.
• Colgate was ahead 8-4 before a Murphy kill brought her team within two, 8-6. From there Colgate expanded the lead to 14-7 thanks to a 6-1 burst. Holy Cross was down six, 16-10 after a Lee kill, until the Raiders sent the match to a fifth set,
• The Raiders blocked a Crusader attack attempt making the score 6-3 in the fifth set. Freshman setter/right side KK Green pummeled an attempt putting her team down 6-4. Colgate would go on a 9-1 binge to clinch the match.

INSIDE THE BOX:

• Holy Cross took a set against Colgate for the first time since March 5, 2021.
• Colgate had the superior net presence out blocking the Crusaders 13-to-4.
• Lee produced her fourth double-double of the season with a team-best 12 kills and career-high matching 16 digs.
• Freshman defensive specialist Elizabeth Hall tied her career-high with 18 digs. She has double-digit digs in six of her last seven matches.
• Russell has 107 assists (11.89 A/S) over her last two matches. She needs 52 more assists to move to ninth place on the program's all-time list.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross returns to the court on Sunday, Oct. 26 against league foe Army West Point (13-5, 7-2 PL)
• First serve is set for 2 p.m.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross volleyball team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
X - @HCrossVB | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrossvb | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Volleyball | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross