Mountain Lions sweep Chadron, win fourth in a row vs RMAC
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs picked up its third straight win Saturday afternoon in the Lions' Den. CU-Colorado Springs beat the Chadron State Eagles 3-0 (30-22, 30-26, 31-29).
"This is a huge win for us," said Mountain Lions coach Jessica Wood. "We came out and played with good intensity."
It's the fourth straight win for CU-Colorado Springs against a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opponent, a feat the Mountain Lions havenâ€TMt accomplished since they won five straight from Oct. 20 to Nov. 2, 2001.
Jill Wrenn, who is the reigning RMAC West Division Payer of the Week, committed just four hitting errors en-route to her match-high 18 kills. Wrenn also added five blocks. Andrea Weedman turned in a good match as well with 10 kills and nine digs.
"Those two have been solid for us all year," said Wood of Wrenn and Weedman. "They come to play every time they step on the court."
Alysia Wardyn led Chadron State (8-9, 3-6 RMAC) with 13 kills while Kelly Kraus had a 12 kills and 12 digs. Shelly Kraus, the Eagles' setter, came into the match as one of Chadron State's top offensive options. But the Mountain Lions held her to just one kill on three attempts.
"We did a great job of serving the ball deep and keeping her off the net," said Wood.
The Mountain Lions' block again played a crucial roll in the outcome of the match. Caroline Ottino and Kelley Angel joined Wrenn with five blocks as CU-Colorado Springs collected 21 for the match, which is tied for the 11th most block assists in a single match in school history.
CU-Colorado Springs (9-6, 4-3) led wire-to-wire in Games 1 and 3. The only time Chadron State held a lead was midway through the second game when the Eagles were up 15-12. The Mountain Lions scored eight of the next 12 points to take the lead back and go on to the win.
The Mountain Lions, who started the conference season 0-3, have catapulted themselves from cellar dweller to a team in playoff contention.
"We are a team fighting for in a spot in the RMAC Tournament," said Wood. "When you get a win against a team that's in a similar situation, it's huge."
UCCS Players/Staff Featured | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Kelley Angel | 7 | OH | So. |
| Kelley Angel | 7 | MB | |
 | Kelly Angel | 7 | MB | |
| Kelly Angel | 7 | MB | |
 | Caroline Ottino | 14 | MB | |
 | Caroline Ottino | 8 | MB | Fr. |
 | Caroline Ottino | 13 | MD | So. |
 | Caroline Ottino | 13 | MB | |
 | Caroline Ottino | 13 | MB | |
 | Jill Wrenn | 5 | OH/RS | Fr. |
 | Jill Wrenn | 4 | RS | So. |
 | Jill Wrenn | 5 | RS | |
 | Jill Wrenn | 5 | RS | |
| Additional News Stories | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| November 29, 2004 |  | Volleyball adds two key recruits | The transformation of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs volleyball program moved into phase 2 Monday when second-year coach Jessica Wood announced the addition of two key recruits during the early signing period. |
| November 13, 2004 |  | Season comes to an end in Kearney | Perhaps if the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs hadn’t played the Nebraska Kearney Lopers so tightly in their first meeting of the season, the Lopers may have looked past CU-Colorado Springs.After the Mountain Lions gave No. 1 Nebraska Kearney all they could handle on Oct. 16, the Lopers knew they would have to bring their A-game when the two teams met again in the opening round of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament Friday night in Kearney, Neb. And that’s exactly what the Lopers did.As they have done all season Nebraska-Kearney (34-0) proved it was the best team in the country dismantling the Mountain Lions 3-0 (30-13, 30-20, 30-21). Kearney outhit CU-Colorado Springs .361 to .077. |
| November 6, 2004 |  | Mountain Lions playoff bound | The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs defeated the Colorado College Tigers 3-0 (30-22, 30-28, 30-25) in a match that ended at 7:20 p.m. Saturday night. But the Mountain Lions’ bigger victory came two hours later in the mountain town of Gunnison. |
| November 5, 2004 |  | Mountain Lions Waiting | It's out of their hands now. |
| November 3, 2004 |  | Mountain Lions stay alive, beat CSU-P | The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs beat its biggest rival Tuesday evening in Pueblo. The Mountain Lions won a hard-fought match over the Colorado State-Pueblo Thunderwolves 3-1 (24-30, 30-24, 30-28, 32-30). |
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