Navy Volleyball Storms Back From Two Sets Down to Defeat Colgate 3-2 in Annapolis Thriller
By Brian Hradsky
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Navy 3, Colgate 2 (23-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-19, 15-12).
The Navy women’s volleyball team refused to surrender Saturday afternoon, overcoming a two-set deficit to defeat Colgate in a dramatic five-set Patriot League match at Wesley A. Brown Field House. The Midshipmen dropped the opening two sets before winning three consecutive frames to complete their second reverse sweep of the Raiders this season. Farrah Eike and Paige Buzzerio led Navy with 14 kills apiece, while junior setter Isa Boyd surpassed 1,000 career assists during the victory. Navy improved to 9-10 overall and 7-4 in conference play, strengthening its position in the Patriot League standings.
The victory carried additional significance because Navy accomplished the same comeback against Colgate five weeks earlier in Hamilton, New York. The Midshipmen have now won both regular-season meetings against the Raiders for the first time since 2018. Saturday’s result also marked just the fourth season in program history in which Navy has recorded two reverse sweeps, joining the 1995, 1999 and 2012 teams. The latest comeback provided a fitting conclusion to Navy’s volleyball celebration weekend, which brought former players back to Annapolis.
Colgate Steals Opening Set After Navy Builds Six-Point Lead
Colgate opened the match aggressively, establishing a 6-1 advantage before Navy began finding its offensive rhythm. The Midshipmen responded with seven consecutive points to transform an 11-7 deficit into a 14-11 lead. Navy continued building momentum and eventually extended its advantage to 21-15. With the home team ahead 23-20, the opening set appeared within reach.
However, Colgate delivered a remarkable closing rally that changed the direction of the match. The Raiders scored five unanswered points behind a combination of attacking plays, a block and a service ace. Navy could not produce the final two points necessary to secure the set, allowing Colgate to escape with a 25-23 victory. The late collapse placed immediate pressure on the Midshipmen despite their earlier control of the frame.
Colgate continued applying pressure in the second set, opening several three-point advantages before building a 17-11 lead. Navy responded with a determined comeback, eventually pulling within 18-17. The Raiders regained a three-point cushion, but the Midshipmen again battled back through contributions from Eike and Izzy Picard. Eike recorded a kill and a service ace during a three-point Navy run that tied the score at 21.
The teams exchanged points before Colgate moved ahead 23-21 on a service ace. A Raiders attack error briefly reduced the margin to one, but Colgate answered with consecutive kills to secure a 25-22 victory. Navy entered the intermission facing a two-set deficit despite demonstrating the ability to challenge the visitors throughout both frames. The Midshipmen needed a substantial turnaround to avoid a home conference defeat.
Eike Keeps Navy Alive in Critical Third Set
Navy returned to the court with greater urgency and immediately established an 8-4 lead in the third set. The Midshipmen extended their advantage to 11-6 before Colgate mounted another response, narrowing the deficit to 13-12. Navy answered by rebuilding a five-point cushion at 17-12 and maintaining its advantage as the set progressed. The improved start gave the home team an opportunity to reverse the momentum that had favored Colgate.
The Raiders continued fighting and eventually reduced Navy’s lead to 22-20. Following a Midshipmen timeout, a Colgate service error helped Navy move closer to extending the match. Buzzerio then delivered an important kill to create set point, although the Raiders answered to make the score 24-22. Eike finished the set with a kill, securing a 25-22 Navy victory and preventing Colgate from completing a three-set sweep.
The third-set victory represented a crucial turning point for the Midshipmen. Navy improved its hitting percentage to .278 after recording marks of .178 and .162 in the first two sets. The offense committed only three attacking errors in the third frame while producing 13 kills. That improvement helped Navy regain confidence and forced Colgate to continue playing under increasing pressure.
Midshipmen Dominate Fourth Set to Force Decider
Navy carried its renewed confidence into the fourth set, moving ahead 8-6 following three consecutive points. Although Colgate remained within striking distance during the early stages, the Midshipmen eventually took command. A four-point Navy run extended the lead to 19-12, creating the largest separation of the set. Colgate attempted to respond but could not reduce the margin below four points during the closing stretch.
The Midshipmen secured a 25-19 victory to even the match at two sets apiece. Navy’s offense delivered its most efficient performance of the afternoon, recording 17 kills against only four errors on 35 attempts. That production translated into an impressive .371 hitting percentage for the fourth set. After struggling to finish the opening two frames, Navy had suddenly become the team dictating the action.
The fourth-set performance also demonstrated the value of Navy’s offensive depth. Eike and Buzzerio provided consistent attacking production, while contributions from other players prevented Colgate from concentrating exclusively on the two leading hitters. The Midshipmen combined their improved offense with stronger defensive execution. Their ability to sustain pressure forced a decisive fifth set in front of the Annapolis crowd.
Navy Survives Fifth-Set Scare to Complete Reverse Sweep
The deciding set produced another dramatic sequence as Navy raced to an early 3-0 advantage. Colgate refused to disappear, eventually responding with four consecutive points to move ahead 8-6. With the Raiders holding the lead at the changeover, Navy again faced a critical moment. The Midshipmen needed another comeback to finish the comeback they had spent the previous two sets constructing.
Navy answered with three consecutive points to reclaim a 9-8 lead. Colgate tied the score at nine, but the Midshipmen responded with a kill, a block and another kill to build a 12-9 advantage. Both teams continued exchanging points before a Raiders service error gave Navy match point at 14-11. A Navy service error temporarily extended the contest, leaving the score at 14-12.
Eike delivered the decisive play, recording the final kill to secure a 15-12 victory in the fifth set. The Midshipmen celebrated a remarkable comeback after spending much of the afternoon facing elimination. Navy completed the five-set victory in two hours and 41 minutes, demonstrating the resilience that has characterized several of its conference performances. The win also prevented Colgate from capitalizing on an impressive opening two sets.
Eike, Buzzerio and Boyd Lead Navy’s Statistical Performance
Eike and Buzzerio finished tied for the team lead with 14 kills apiece, combining for 28 of Navy’s 63 kills. Eike also contributed 13 digs, recording a double-double while supplying the match-winning attack. Buzzerio added four blocks and two service aces, providing important contributions beyond her offensive production. Avery Maddux and Picard each added eight kills to support Navy’s attack.
Maddux led the Midshipmen with four service aces, while Boyd finished with three. Navy recorded 13 aces as a team, matching Colgate’s total in that category. The Midshipmen also collected 76 digs compared with 70 for the Raiders. Amara Chambers led Navy’s defensive effort with 16 digs, followed by Eike’s 13.
Both Navy setters recorded double-doubles in the victory. Boyd finished with 25 assists and 11 digs, while Caroline Adams contributed 20 assists and 10 digs. Their performances helped Navy generate 57 assists and maintain a balanced attack during the comeback. The Midshipmen finished with a .250 team hitting percentage, outperforming Colgate’s .207 mark.
Colgate received an outstanding individual performance from Tiana Owens, who led all players with 20 kills. Morgan Reese added 13 kills, while Jordyn Moore finished with 12. Hannah Langton led the Raiders defensively with 25 digs, and Nina Gannon recorded seven blocks. Colgate finished with 11 team blocks compared with six for Navy, but the Midshipmen’s stronger hitting efficiency helped determine the final outcome.
Isa Boyd Reaches 1,000 Career Assists
One of Saturday’s most important individual achievements belonged to Boyd, who entered the match needing only four assists to reach 1,000 for her career. The junior surpassed that milestone early in the contest and finished the afternoon with 1,021 career assists. She became the 10th Navy player to reach the mark during the rally-scoring era, which began in 2001. The accomplishment reflected her development into a dependable contributor within the Midshipmen’s offensive system.
Boyd’s milestone came during a performance that required leadership and consistency from Navy’s setters. The Midshipmen faced difficult moments throughout the opening two sets before finding their offensive rhythm. Boyd and Adams helped distribute the ball effectively as the match progressed, allowing Navy to capitalize on its attacking opportunities. Their combined 45 assists provided a foundation for the three-set comeback.
Navy head coach Paco Labrador praised Boyd’s leadership and dedication following the match. Labrador emphasized the junior’s work ethic on the court, in the classroom and within the Naval Academy. The milestone added another memorable accomplishment to an afternoon already defined by Navy’s resilience. It also highlighted the experience the Midshipmen can rely upon during the final stretch of conference competition.
Historic Season Sweep Strengthens Navy’s Patriot League Position
Saturday’s victory improved Navy’s Patriot League record to 7-4 while dropping Colgate to 4-7 in conference competition. The Midshipmen also improved their overall record to 9-10, moving closer to the .500 mark after an uneven start to the season. More importantly, Navy continued demonstrating its ability to win competitive conference matches despite difficult circumstances. The victory gave the program another valuable result as the regular season approached its final stretch.
Navy’s two reverse sweeps against Colgate are particularly noteworthy because the same opponent held a two-set advantage in both meetings. The Midshipmen could have lost either match, but instead found ways to win six consecutive sets after falling behind. Those results illustrate Navy’s ability to make adjustments during competition and sustain its effort over lengthy matches. They also provide evidence of the team’s competitive resilience heading into its remaining conference schedule.
The Midshipmen have experienced difficulty winning opening sets throughout Patriot League play. Navy has won the first set only once in its first 11 conference matches, creating additional pressure during many contests. However, the team has recovered to win six of the 10 matches in which it lost the opening frame. Saturday’s victory reinforced that unusual pattern and demonstrated why Navy remains dangerous even after a difficult start.
Brian’s Take: Navy’s Resilience Could Make It Dangerous Down the Stretch
Navy’s victory over Colgate was more than an entertaining five-set comeback. It demonstrated that the Midshipmen possess the composure and offensive versatility necessary to recover when matches begin poorly. Falling behind two sets against a conference opponent creates enormous pressure, particularly when the opponent has already demonstrated an ability to close out tight frames. Navy responded by improving its execution, reducing attacking errors and taking control of the final three sets.
Eike deserves recognition for delivering the match-winning kill while also contributing defensively throughout the afternoon. Buzzerio provided another strong offensive performance, and Boyd’s milestone offered an additional reason for the program to celebrate. The Midshipmen also received important contributions from Adams, Maddux, Picard and Chambers. That balance should help Navy remain competitive against opponents capable of limiting individual scoring options.
There are still areas Navy must improve before the postseason. Losing opening sets so frequently places unnecessary pressure on the team and reduces its margin for error. The Midshipmen cannot expect to erase two-set deficits consistently against the strongest teams in the Patriot League. Stronger starts and more consistent closing execution would make Navy a more complete opponent.
Nevertheless, Saturday’s result should provide considerable confidence. Navy has now completed two reverse sweeps against the same conference opponent while showing measurable offensive improvement during difficult moments. The Midshipmen have also demonstrated that their season cannot be judged simply by their overall record. Their 7-4 conference mark reflects a team capable of competing for meaningful results during the final weeks of the regular season.
What’s Next for Navy Volleyball?
Navy returns to the road for two Patriot League matches during the final weekend of October. The Midshipmen visit Lafayette on Friday, October 30, before traveling to Bucknell on Saturday, October 31. Both matches offer opportunities to strengthen Navy’s conference position and build on the momentum generated by Saturday’s comeback. The team will look to improve its starts while maintaining the offensive efficiency that helped secure the victory over Colgate.
For now, Navy can celebrate one of its most memorable performances of the season. The Midshipmen erased a two-set deficit, completed a season sweep of Colgate and witnessed Boyd reach a major career milestone. Saturday’s result also reinforced the importance of teamwork, adaptability and persistence in conference competition. Navy’s ability to respond under pressure could prove valuable as the postseason approaches.
