Nov. 22, 2008
Washington, D.C.--Top-seeded American claimed its eighth straight Patriot League Volleyball Chammpionship on Saturday, but not without a fight from third-seeded Colgate. The Eagles posted a three-set victory over the Raiders, 25-13, 25-21, 26-28, an 25-19. American has not lost a Patriot League Tournament match since joining the League in 2001. The Eagles have now beaten the Raiders in consecutive championship matches.
American led the first set wire to wire. The Eagles built an early 4-0 advantage, thanks to three blocks. American extended its lead to 16-6 with another run, culminated by a kill by Claire Recht. Colgate climbed back into contention, scoring six of the next eight points, including four straight to start the streak. American responded with a 7-1 streak to close the opening set, giving the Eagles a 1-0 set advantage. The Eagles recorded a robust .414 hitting percentage in the opening frame, compared to the Raiders' .083 first-set hitting percentage.
Colgate began the second set with momentum on its side. The Raiders scored the first two points and maintained the lead until three straight kills by American senior Rubena Sukaj gave the Eagles a 12-11 advantage. The teams exchanged leads three more times before Sukaj recorded another kill to give American a 20-19 advantage, a lead the Eagles did not relinquish. Sukaj, who has been named Patriot League Player of the Year three times, recorded eight kills in the second set alone. She was matched by Colgate senior Katrina Zawojski, who also notched eight second-set kills.
Despite falling behind early, Colgate became just the third Patriot League team to take a set from American this season, downing the Eagles 28-26 in the third set. After trailing 10-5, Colgate rattled off seven straight points to take their first lead of the set. A kill by Logan Keala put the Raiders at match point, 24-20. American rallied back with four straight points to tie the set. The teams exchanged points until Zawojski ended the set with her 13th kill of the match. The Raiders out-hit the Eagles in the third set, .350 to .267.
|
|
 |
Neither team established a lead larger than three points in the fourth set until a kill by Claire Recht gave American a 18-14 lead. After a Colgate timeout, the Raiders scored the next three points, but could not get any closer. Sukaj ended the match by firing her 29th kill of match down the right side. The Eagles hit a sizzling .593 in the final set to claim their eighth consecutive Patriot League title. For the match, American out-hit Colgate, .357 to .203.
Sukaj earned Patriot League Tournament Most Valuable Player honors with 40 kills, 13 digs, seven blocks and two aces over two matches. She hit .422 for the weekend.
American placed three student-athletes on the 2008 Patriot League All-Tournament Team, including Sukaj, Christina Nash and Ivana Cebakova. Others on the all-tournament team were Colgate's Jackie Adlam and Zavojski, Army's Elizabeth Lazzari and Bucknell's Shannon Pitsch.
American will find out its NCAA Tournament opponent, site and date on Sunday, Nov. 30, when the NCAA Tournament brackets are announced. First and second-round play will take place Dec. 4-5, Dec. 5-6 or Dec. 6-7 on campus sites.
2007 Patriot League Tournament Most Valuable Player
Rubena Sukaj, American
2007 Patriot League All-Tournament Team
Ivan Cebakova, American
Christina Nash, American
Rubena Sukaj, American
Elizabeth Lazzari, Army
Jackie Adlam, Colgate
Katrina Zawojski, Colgate
Shannon Pitsch, Bucknell
