Raiders Coming off Patriot League Championship Appearance in 2016

The Colgate volleyball team recently handed out its team awards following a strong 2016 campaign that saw the Raiders finish 18-11 overall and 13-3 in Patriot League play en route to a league championship appearance. The awards, with the exception of the Coaches Award, were all voted on by the student-athletes.

Senior Kathleen Harris was honored with both the Offensive MVP and Most Inspirational Player awards. Harris earned her second-straight first team All-Patriot League honor in 2016 after leading the Raiders in both points (410) and kills (350). The Playa del Rey, Calif. native recorded 12 double-doubles on the year, while logging 22 matches in double-figure kills and 14 matches in double-digit digs. She earned her 1,000th career kill on Oct. 1 and her 1,000th career dig on Oct. 9 to become the fourth player in program history to join the elusive 1,000 kill-1,000 dig club. The Raiders went 45-19 in conference play during Harris’ four years in which they qualified for three Patriot League Tournaments and made two championship match appearances. Harris was also recently named the Colgate Female Athlete of the Year.

The Defensive MVP honor was awarded to senior Madison McAndrews. As the team’s starting libero, McAndrews finished first on the squad in digs (437) and third in assists (89) to help Colgate to its strong 18-11 season. The Los Angeles, Calif. native recorded double-digit digs in all but four matches during her senior campaign and registered seven games with 20-plus digs. McAndrews was named to the Patriot League All-Tournament team after recording 47 digs in two matches to help the Raiders to the championship appearance.

Junior setter Lauren Sanderson was named the team’s Most Improved Player. Sanderson played a key role in helping Colgate to its 13-3 mark in Patriot League play as she appeared in 26 matches and 86 sets. The London, Ontario native finished the season with 309 assists, 110 digs, 56 kills and 22 blocks. She registered 15 matches in double-digit assists, with six of those being 20-plus assist matches. Sanderson recorded back-to-back 24 assist matches in the Colgate’s two Patriot League Tournament games.

The Coaches Award was given to sophomore outside hitter Katie Stansbury. The Strongsville, Ohio native saw action in all 29 matches, finishing second on the team in kills (251), and third in digs (250) and points scored (292). Stansbury turned out 10 double-figure kill performances and 11 double-digit dig efforts.

“Katie was an unsung hero for us this fall,” said head coach Ryan Baker.  “She is a true 6-rotation outside who we relied on every weekend to put up consistent numbers for us.  Katie works hard, doesn’t complain and loves to compete.”

The Raiders recently wrapped up their spring competition period in preparation for the 2017 season. Colgate will return 14 letterwinners and welcome a talented bunch of newcomers for the 2017 campaign.

By martha

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