University of Albany Volleyball Sweeps Non-Conference Opponent Colgate - UAlbany Sports 2011

Hamilton, N.Y. - Dunja Prgomet recorded a match-high 12 kills on .480 hitting to go along with seven digs, leading UAlbany to a 3-0 sweep of Colgate in non-conference volleyball action on Wednesday evening at Cotterell Court. The Great Danes swept the Raiders with set scores of 25-18, 25-18 and 25-13.

Colgate jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first set before service error ended the run. Michelle McCarthy put the Raiders up 5-1 with a kill, but UAlbany came roaring back, eventually tying the set at 10-10 on a kill by Traci Vandegrift and taking its first lead with a Prgomet kill. Another kill by McCarthy tied the set for a final time at 11-11, but the Great Danes rattled off six straight points to take a 17-11 advantage. UAlbany continued to roll, getting back-to-back kills from Gabby Whitworth, followed by a service ace by Brooke Stanley, getting ahead, 23-16. Samantha Brostrom gave UAlbany set point with a kill before Prgomet took an assist from Stanley to end the set.

UAlbany's momentum carried into the next set. Despite a back-and-forth start, the Great Danes took an 8-7 advantage on a kill by Whitworth, and scored the next three points to pull ahead, 11-7, and prompt Colgate to take a timeout. After a UAlbany service error gave the Raiders a chance to rally back, Whitworth smacked another kill, giving Brostrom the ball behind the service line for the Great Danes. Brostrom served for six straight points, putting UAlbany up by 10, 18-8 before Colgate could get another point on a kill by Maureen Colligan. Brostrom later gave the Great Danes set point with a kill before Stanley ended the set with a kill of her own off an assist from Natalee Gruse.

The Great Danes did not slow in the third set, building up a quick 9-2 advantage behind five serves by Laurie Gonzalez, including two aces and two blocks by Vandegrift and Casey Wright. The teams exchanged points before UAlbany embarked on another rally, scoring five straight points to build up a 19-8 advantage. UAlbany scored the final three points of the set, getting to match point on a Colgate attack error and ending the match on a kill by Vanessa Sheffield.

Wright finished with nine kills, while Whitworth and Vandegrift added seven and six, respectively. Gonzalez led the team defensively with 24 digs, while Brostrom added 11 digs and two aces. Stanley totaled 38 assists, along with four digs, four kills and one ace.

Colgate (9-12) was led by Lindsay Young with 10 kills, while McCarthy added nine. Lexi Finger paced the Raiders defensively with 13 digs. Caitlin Cremin and Blaire Safir also totaled double-digit dig totals with 11 and 10, respectively. Kaylee Fifer tallied 32 assists and helped the Raiders with eight digs and five kills.

UAlbany (11-8) will return to action on Sunday, hosting Binghamton in America East play at 5 p.m.