Hamilton, N.Y.- The UConn volleyball team (4-0) pulled off an improbable comeback to continue their red-hot start to the season, defeating Colgate University in 5 sets after falling behind two sets to zero early on in the match.
The Huskies and Raiders traded service errors early on in a contested first set, with Colgate jumping out to a slim 6-4 advantage. Emma Werkmeister had two early kills, and Grace Maria added an ace as UConn went into the first timeout down 11-10. UConn battled back with 4 straight points, with kills from Werkmeister and Taylor Pannell, who returned after not playing in the last two matches. Werkmeister finished the set with 7 kills in the frame. The multiple service errors early on proved too much to overcome for the Huskies, with Colgate taking the first set 27-25.
Colgate's Abby Shadwick kickstarted the second set, helped by Carlie Rzeszotarski's two kills that gave the host Raiders a 10-5 lead, forcing UConn to call a timeout. Both Shadwick and Rzeszotarski kept the momentum up for Colgate as they took a commanding 2 set lead, taking the frame 25-20.
UConn battled early in the third set, with Werkmeister and Audrey Rome chipping in kills looking to get the Huskies back into the match after falling behind early. Both teams traded points back and forth, as Colgate took a 10-8 lead into the first timeout. The visiting Huskies continued to fight, with Werkmeister pouring in multiple aces lifting UConn to a third set win, 25-23.
Colgate came out firing in the fourth set, building up a 9-3 lead despite two early Werkmeister kills. Freshman Loren Winn came in to help the Huskies and gained back momentum with two kills and a shraed block with Pannell to get UConn back into the set, cutting the Raiders lead to 17-13. With their backs against the wall, the Huskies clawed all the way back in the set, on the back of Werkmeister's career performance and a relentless balanced attack to force a fifth set.
The momentum surge continued in the fifth set, as the Huskies took a lead at the halfway point, 8-6. Heroics from Maria, Rome, and Doga Kutlu lifted UConn to a remarkable comeback win on the road in five sets, taking the fifth and decisive frame 15-8.
Historical Notes: Werkmeister had a career-high 29 kills to lead the UConn comeback. For the first time since 2008, the Huskies have started a season 4-0.
Up Next: The Huskies continue the weekend against Stony Brook tomorrow afternoon at 2pm. The Sea Wolves defeated Buffalo in 4 sets in the tournament opener on Friday. Colgate will take on UConn's Sunday opponent, Buffalo, on Saturday evening at 5pm on Cotterell Court.
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