photo by Justin Wolford/Colgate Athletics

​While the rest of New England grows more dormant with winter taking hold, there’s something blooming and in full flower near Hamilton, NY.

That’s the site of Colgate University, where the volleyball program of the Raiders is currently carving space for recognition as one of the quarterfinalists in the 2019 National Invitational Volleyball Championship. Colgate (24-7) will be looking for more on Thursday, as the Raiders play at TCU (11-17) in hopes of reaching the semifinals.

It’s the first 20-win season for Colgate since 2013, one that will be remembered fondly for its relentless list of accomplishments. The Raiders were 15-1 in the Patriot League; head coach Ryan Baker was named conference coach of the year for the third time in 14 years, and junior outside Alli Lowe earned player of the year honors while also being named honorable mention all-region by the AVCA, an area that includes numerous Power 5 teams.

Colgate is also defining itself by responding to one very unhappy development, which was losing to Army in the Patriot League tournament semifinals. Having beaten the Black Knights twice earlier in the year, the upset was a sudden, rattling reminder of how matches can veer off what looks inevitable on paper, but with 3-1 victories over Boston College and Tulane in the NIVC, it seems Colgate has strong roots earned over time.

“In the moment, it is painful. We talked after the match that we got beat by an Army team that just played better,” said Baker, whose team also played in the NIVC in 2017. “That happens; it’s hard to beat a team three times, and that can be the negative of the conference tournament. You play each other so many times, and we had a bad weekend. For this team, that was maybe motivation for the (NIVC), too. They had a great season and want to keep playing. We played two good teams, very different styles, and our team played so hard. We have all the pieces, and this team wanted to play and wanted this for Colgate, maybe to win the whole thing.

“For this year specifically, our team had an incredible regular season, Patriot League co-champion, so to me they earned and deserved the opportunity, first and foremost. Secondly, an institution of our size, 2,800 students, for Colgate to get on the national scene and play some really great competition including from Power 5 conferences, it’s a huge time for us to grow. We also return 80 percent of our lineup for next season, so the benefit of this is gargantuan. The NIVC has gotten better; by this year, the quality is stronger, the level of play is stronger, the operations are stronger – there’s a lot of buzz and excitement on campus about this.”

Colgate has a classic look on offense, with a dynamic setter (6-foot-1 sophomore Julia Kurowski) and outside hammers in junior Lowe (456 kills) and senior Alex Stein (402 kills). Sophomore middle Hailey Horn-Bostel has done solid work as well, leading the team in blocks and adding 184 kills. 

“Julia had to run the show her whole freshman season, so to have that under her belt and now this … you have to teach players how to handle stressful situations and deal with the pressure of one-and-done,” Baker said. “For her development and growth, this is going to pay huge dividends. She’s very steady, consistent and super athletic. And we have two of the best outsides in the Patriot League. We have the backbone to compete with a lot of teams.”

Every season has at least one defining moment, and for the Raiders it came in late September. They lost a doubleheader to North Carolina and VCU, but look deeper – Lowe hurt her ankle in the first match, but Colgate still played well and then took VCU (an NCAA qualifier this year) to five sets. Then, six days later, Lowe was back and the Raiders took down Patriot League power American for the first time since 2012.

“To go through that adversity and play quality opponents without (Lowe) and almost beat them … I think it built everyone’s confidence. Take that straight to playing American, which has won 15 or 16 conference championships, was what we needed, and we went on a huge run. We put eight great weekends together, which is so hard to do with the academic demands of a school like Colgate.” 

With three winning records in the past four seasons, a young roster and the sight of Lowe and Kurowski leading the way going ahead, Baker has exactly what he’s wanted – a roster that chips in from every direction.

“Our seniors created a culture of unbelievable positivity and fight. People talk about our bench – they are crazy, they have a blast and provide energy no matter where we go. And I thought we had a solid freshman class, but they overperformed my expectations early on,” he added. “They compete hard every day and make my (playing time) decisions tough. Culture is a buzzword, but ours is really good. It’s inspired other coaches in the department and around the country when they watch our team play.”

GEORGIA TECH 3, LIBERTY 0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-19)
 
ATLANTA, Ga. – Georgia Tech and Liberty each prevailed in thrilling Round 2 victories in the 2019 NIVC. Tuesday night went the Yellow Jackets’ way, though, as Georgia Tech (24-8) rolled to a 3-0 win over the Flames (21-12).
 
Recently tabbed AVCA Region coach of the year, Michelle Collier received outstanding efforts up and down the lineup. The front line particularly put its stamp on the match. Julia Bergman led the way with a match-high 15 kills while Mariana Brambilla and Mikaila Dowd followed closely behind with eight and seven kills, respectively.
 
Defensively, the Yellow Jackets held Liberty to just a .031 attack percentage. Maddie Tippett and Mikaila Dowd each registered 13 digs. As a team, Georgia Tech tallied nine blocks.
 
Payton Carter led the way for the Flames, totaling six kills and 10 digs. Hannah Morris picked up 11 assists.
​
Georgia Tech will await the winner of TCU and Colgate in a match to be played on Thursday, December 12, at 5 p.m. ET.
 
SOUTH DAKOTA 3, UT ARLINGTON 2 (25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 23-25, 15-11)
 
VERMILLION, S.D. – South Dakota had lost just one set prior to its quarterfinal matchup against UT Arlington on Tuesday evening. The Coyotes managed so skate through the thrilling five-set affair, 3-2, advancing to the NIVC semifinals.
 
A team that prides itself on clean hitting, South Dakota (30-2) did not commit an error in the third set and only registered nine in the final three frames.
 
No one outshone Elizabeth Juhnke. The freshmen outside hitter from Lakeville, Minnesota hammered home a match-high 23 kills. Sami Slaughter (13 kills) and Elizabeth Loschen (12 kills) also finished with double-figure totals.
 
Anne Rasmussen and Lolo Weideman led the way defensively for head coach Leanne Williamson, tallying 17 and 11 digs, respectively.
 
The Mavericks (20-14) were led by Brooke Townsend who managed 13 kills. Bre Walp and Madison Hill each had 11.
​
South Dakota will await the winner of Tulsa and Weber State in a match to be played on Thursday, December 12, at 7 p.m. ET.

SOUTH DAKOTA 3, UT ARLINGTON 2 (25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 23-25, 15-11)

VERMILLION, S.D. – South Dakota had lost just one set prior to its quarterfinal matchup against UT Arlington on Tuesday evening. The Coyotes managed so skate through the thrilling five-set affair, 3-2, advancing to the NIVC semifinals.

A team that prides itself on clean hitting, South Dakota (30-2) did not commit an error in the third set and only registered nine in the final three frames.

No one outshone Elizabeth Juhnke. The freshmen outside hitter from Lakeville, Minnesota hammered home a match-high 23 kills. Sami Slaughter (13 kills) and Elizabeth Loschen (12 kills) also finished with double-figure totals.

Anne Rasmussen and Lolo Weideman led the way defensively for head coach Leanne Williamson, tallying 17 and 11 digs, respectively.

The Mavericks (20-14) were led by Brooke Townsend who managed 13 kills. Bre Walp and Madison Hill each had 11.
​
South Dakota will await the winner of Tulsa and Weber State in a match to be played on Thursday, December 12, at 7 p.m. ET.

GEORGIA TECH 3, LIBERTY 0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-19)

ATLANTA, Ga. – Georgia Tech and Liberty each prevailed in thrilling Round 2 victories in the 2019 NIVC. Tuesday night went the Yellow Jackets’ way, though, as Georgia Tech rolled to a 3-0 win over the Flames.

Recently tabbed AVCA Region coach of the year, Michelle Collier received outstanding efforts up and down the lineup. The front line particularly put its stamp on the match. Julia Bergman led the way with a match-high 15 kills while Mariana Brambilla and Mikaila Dowd followed closely behind with eight and seven kills, respectively.

Defensively, the Yellow Jackets held Liberty to just a .031 attack percentage. Maddie Tippett and Mikaila Dowd each registered 13 digs. As a team, Georgia Tech tallied nine blocks.

Payton Carter led the way for the Flames, totaling six kills and 10 digs. Hannah Morris picked up 11 assists.
​
Georgia Tech will await the winner of TCU and Colgate in a match to be played on Thursday, December 12, at 5 p.m. ET. 

​HIGH POINT 3, MOREHEAD STATE 1 (25-23, 16-25, 25-21, 25-21)
 
LYNCHBURG, VA – High Point trailed in the fourth set by a 14-9 margin, then turned it around and closed out its match against Morehead State in a Round 1 match of the 2019 NIVC.
 
The Panthers (21-12) got key kills late from Annie Sullivan to fuel the comeback; she finished with 14 kills overall. High Point will play either Liberty or La Salle in Round 2 on Sunday. The Eagles end their season at 23-10.
 
Both teams were on target early, combining to make just seven hitting errors in the first set, and Morehead State evened the match in winning the second set and hitting .481 in the process.
 
High Point got a strong effort from Megan Kratzer, who had 12 kills, and Maria Miggins added 41 assists. Abby Bottomley finished with 17 digs.
 
Morehead State got 12 kills from Olivia Lohmeier and 12 kills by Lauren Rokey. Bridget Bessler had 37 assists, and Allison Whitten closed with 26 digs.
 
COLGATE 3, TULANE 1 (25-23, 23-25, 26-24, 25-18) 
 
HAMILTON, NY – Alli Lowe had 21 kills and 10 digs as Colgate topped Tulane in Round 2 of the NIVC.
 
The Raiders (24-7) hit .395 in the decisive fourth set; Colgate will be at TCU for the quarterfinals with the match set for 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 12.
 
Alex Stein had 10 kills and 11 digs for the Raiders; Julia Kurowski came through with 37 assists and 14 digs, and Cami Carfino added 10 digs. 
 
The Green Wave (22-11) got 16 kills and 11 digs from Lexie Douglas, and Lauryn Green added 12 kills. Amanda Giardina had 25 assists and Kaylie McHugh had 11 digs.
 
GEORGIA TECH 3, TROY 1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-14, 27-25)
 
ATLANTA, GA – An 8-0 run for Georgia Tech got it back in range in the fourth set, and the Yellow Jackets edged past Troy to advance to the quarterfinals of the NIVC.
 
The Yellow Jackets (23-8) will play next week, opponent and site to be announced. The Trojans end the season at 23-10.
 
Mariana Brambilla had 19 kills for Georgia Tech. Kodie Comby and Julia Bergmann each had 10 kills; Matti McKissock came through with 49 assists. The Yellow Jackets hit .260 for the match.
 
Troy got 14 kills from Cheyenne Hayes; Amara Anderson added 33 assists and 10 digs. Lacey Jeffcoat had 12 digs.
 
LIBERTY 3, LA SALLE 2 (25-21, 26-24, 21-25, 23-25, 21-19)
 
LYNCHBURG, VA – In a wild see-saw match, Liberty lost a 2-0 lead but held on in the exhausting fifth set to top La Salle in a Round 1 match of the NIVC.
 
The Flames (20-11) will play High Point in Round 2; Liberty will host, with the match set for 3 p.m. ET Sunday. The Explorers end their season at 15-14.
 
Anna Gragg had 19 kills for Liberty; Amelia Johnson added 13 kills and 12 digs, and Hannah Morris added 33 assists, 14 digs and six blocks. Macy Phillips finished with 24 digs and four aces.
 
La Salle got 22 kills and 17 digs from Samantha Graver; Elizabeth Osborn added 18 kills and 12 digs, and Catherine Edgington had 14 kills. Driving the offense was Kathryn Wood with 50 assists and 13 digs, and Rachel Hess added 17 digs.

LIBERTY 3, LA SALLE 2 (25-21, 26-24, 21-25, 23-25, 21-19)
 
LYNCHBURG, VA – In a wild see-saw match, Liberty lost a 2-0 lead but held on in the exhausting fifth set to top La Salle in a Round 1 match of the NIVC.
 
The Flames (20-11) will play High Point in Round 2; Liberty will host, with the match set for 3 p.m. ET Sunday. The Explorers end their season at 15-14.
 
Anna Gragg had 19 kills for Liberty; Amelia Johnson added 13 kills and 12 digs, and Hannah Morris added 33 assists, 14 digs and six blocks. Macy Phillips finished with 24 digs and four aces.
 
La Salle got 22 kills and 17 digs from Samantha Graver; Elizabeth Osborn added 18 kills and 12 digs, and Catherine Edgington had 14 kills. Driving the offense was Kathryn Wood with 50 assists and 13 digs, and Rachel Hess added 17 digs.

GEORGIA TECH 3, TROY 1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-14, 27-25)
 
ATLANTA, GA – An 8-0 run for Georgia Tech got it back in range in the fourth set, and the Yellow Jackets edged past Troy to advance to the quarterfinals of the NIVC.
 
The Yellow Jackets (23-8) will play next week, opponent and site to be announced. The Trojans end the season at 23-10.
 
Mariana Brambilla had 19 kills for Georgia Tech. Kodie Comby and Julia Bergmann each had 10 kills; Matti McKissock came through with 49 assists. The Yellow Jackets hit .260 for the match.
 
Troy got 14 kills from Cheyenne Hayes; Amara Anderson added 33 assists and 10 digs. Lacey Jeffcoat had 12 digs.

​COLGATE 3, TULANE 1 (25-23, 23-25, 26-24, 25-18)  
 
HAMILTON, NY – Alli Lowe had 21 kills and 10 digs as Colgate topped Tulane in Round 2 of the NIVC.
 
The Raiders (24-7) hit .395 in the decisive fourth set; Colgate will be at TCU for the quarterfinals with the match set for 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 12.
 
Alex Stein had 10 kills and 11 digs for the Raiders; Julia Kurowski came through with 37 assists and 14 digs, and Cami Carfino added 10 digs.  
 
The Green Wave (22-11) got 16 kills and 11 digs from Lexie Douglas, and Lauryn Green added 12 kills. Amanda Giardina had 25 assists and Kaylie McHugh had 11 digs. 

HIGH POINT 3, MOREHEAD STATE 1 (25-23, 16-25, 25-21, 25-21)
 
LYNCHBURG, VA – High Point trailed in the fourth set by a 14-9 margin, then turned it around and closed out its match against Morehead State in a Round 1 match of the 2019 NIVC.
 
The Panthers (21-12) got key kills late from Annie Sullivan to fuel the comeback; she finished with 14 kills overall. High Point will play either Liberty or La Salle in Round 2 on Sunday. The Eagles end their season at 23-10.
 
Both teams were on target early, combining to make just seven hitting errors in the first set, and Morehead State evened the match in winning the second set and hitting .481 in the process.
 
High Point got a strong effort from Megan Kratzer, who had 12 kills, and Maria Miggins added 41 assists. Abby Bottomley finished with 17 digs.
 
Morehead State got 12 kills from Olivia Lohmeier and 12 kills by Lauren Rokey. Bridget Bessler had 37 assists, and Allison Whitten closed with 26 digs.