Colgate’s Epic Reverse Sweep: Abby Shadwick Shines to Secure Patriot League Title!

In a thrilling Saturday of NCAA women’s volleyball, Colgate’s Abby Shadwick delivered an unforgettable performance to lead her team to a hard-fought victory, clinching the Patriot League regular-season title with a dramatic reverse sweep against Bucknell. Meanwhile, on the international stage, American beach volleyball players Cody Caldwell and Evan Cory achieved a landmark victory in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour’s Haikou Challenge in China, further cementing their place in the sport’s elite ranks.

Colgate’s Heroic Victory: Shadwick’s Clutch Performance Seals the Deal

Colgate’s 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter Abby Shadwick proved to be a force to be reckoned with in her team’s dramatic 21-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-18, 17-15 win over Bucknell in the final regular-season match of the Patriot League. The victory secured Colgate’s fourth consecutive regular-season championship and solidified their position as the top team in the league with an impressive 14-2 conference record.

In what became a tense battle for first place, Colgate found themselves trailing 11-14 in the fifth set. But with the match on the line, Shadwick’s composure and offensive power were evident. She scored her team’s last six points, including four kills that kept the Raiders alive and forced the match into a thrilling tiebreaker. Shadwick’s sideout kill brought the score to 14-15, and her match-winning ace sealed the deal, delivering Colgate’s crucial victory.

Shadwick’s individual stats for the match were nothing short of stellar, with 21 kills on 60 attacks, three aces, 13 digs, and eight blocks, including one solo. The victory allowed Colgate to maintain its spot as a dominant force in the Patriot League, and with the team’s home-court advantage in the upcoming conference tournament at Cotterell Court, they’ll be looking to defend their title and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

“I’m just so proud of the consistency our program has shown,” said Colgate coach Ryan Baker. “To win four regular-season championships in a row speaks to our team culture, our leadership, and the incredible support we get from our fans in Hamilton.”

Bucknell, who finished second with a 13-3 conference record, put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell short. The Bison were led by Cameron Lloyd, who had 20 kills, 21 digs, and two blocks, while libero Jordan Hardy recorded a staggering 29 digs. Despite Bucknell’s strong performance, Colgate’s resilience in the final sets proved to be the difference.

Caldwell and Cory Triumph in Haikou Challenge

On the international beach volleyball stage, American duo Cody Caldwell and Evan Cory claimed a monumental victory at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour’s Haikou Challenge in China. Seeded 16th, Caldwell and Cory surged to the top of the podium, defeating the top-seeded Australian pair of Thomas Hodges and Zachery Schubert 23-21, 23-21 in the final. The victory earned the Americans $10,000 in prize money and marked Caldwell’s first-ever title on the world tour and Cory’s second.

Caldwell and Cory’s journey to the top was not without its challenges. In the semifinals, they faced Italy’s Gianluca Dal Corso and Marco Viscovich, defeating them 21-14, 21-13 to secure a spot in the final. Caldwell, who had previously reached the finals in 2023, made a strong statement in his debut title, while Cory added another trophy to his collection, having won a Futures event in Finland earlier in the year with partner Troy Field.

“We’ve been working hard for this moment, and it feels incredible to finally come through with a win on such a big stage,” Caldwell shared. “It’s a dream come true to be standing at the top with Evan.”

Meanwhile, Toni Rodriguez and Molly Shaw, the American pair who also made a remarkable run at the Haikou Challenge, narrowly missed out on the gold. Seeded 19th, Rodriguez and Shaw were defeated by the Chinese duo of Chen Xue, a four-time Olympian and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist, and her younger partner Jinjin Zeng, in straight sets, 21-15, 21-15. Despite the loss, Rodriguez and Shaw’s silver medal performance earned them each $4,000 in prize money.

“The competition was fierce, but we’re incredibly proud of how we performed,” Shaw said after the match. “We know we’re getting closer, and this experience will only make us stronger moving forward.”

NCAA Volleyball Highlights: Top Teams in Action

Back on the college volleyball front, several powerhouse programs showcased their dominance in key conference matchups. In the Big Ten, No. 2 Nebraska continued their unbeaten conference run, defeating Indiana 25-12, 25-17, 25-19. The Cornhuskers were led by Andi Jackson, who hit an impressive .636 with eight kills and one error on 11 attempts, while Harper Murray added 10 kills and eight digs. Nebraska’s win pushed their record to 26-1 overall and 16-0 in the Big Ten, extending their win streak to 23 matches.

No. 6 Wisconsin also kept pace in the Big Ten race, overcoming UCLA 15-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-15. The Badgers were powered by the formidable 6-foot-9 Anna Smrek, who posted 16 kills on .609 hitting, while Sarah Franklin contributed 19 kills. Wisconsin’s win gave them a 20-5 overall record and kept them in contention for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Elsewhere, No. 8 Arizona State triumphed over Cincinnati in straight sets, 25-16, 25-16, 25-21, with Savannah Kjolhede leading the way with 10 kills on .500 hitting and five blocks. The Sun Devils improved to 26-2 on the season, remaining atop the Big 12 standings. No. 12 Kansas also stayed in the hunt for the top spot, defeating Baylor 25-22, 26-24, 25-17 in a tightly contested match.

In the Atlantic 10, No. 15 Dayton extended their winning streak to 21 matches, sweeping Saint Louis 25-11, 25-17, 25-15 to finish their regular season undefeated in conference play. Dayton’s redshirt senior Brooke Smith posted a remarkable .833 efficiency with 10 kills on 12 attempts, helping the Flyers close out their perfect season in the A-10.

Looking Ahead: NCAA Tournament and Conference Championships

As the regular season winds down, all eyes are now on the conference tournaments, where teams like Colgate, Dayton, and Arizona State will look to secure automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament. With standout performances from players like Shadwick, Smrek, and Kjolhede, the race for the NCAA title promises to be a thrilling spectacle.

In beach volleyball, Caldwell and Cory’s victory in Haikou has positioned them as strong contenders for future international tournaments, while Rodriguez and Shaw’s silver medal serves as a sign of their growing potential on the world stage.

With the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament just around the corner, and more thrilling international competitions on the horizon, volleyball fans have plenty to look forward to in the coming months. The stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable as the best teams and players continue to push the limits of their sport.