CU-Colorado Springs knocks off Western
The University of Colorado at Colorado Spring kept its playoffs hopes alive with an impressive home win over the Western State Mountaineers Friday night at the Lions' Den.
Behind 36 assists and five aces from Laura Meeter, who was playing her first collegiate game at the setter position, the Mountain Lions made quick work of Western State 3-0 (30-27, 30-24, 30-25).
Meeter, who was a setter at Colorado Springs Christian School last season, had played only libero and defensive specialist as a Mountain Lion before Friday's match. She replaced starter Lindsey Hillegass, who did not play due to extenuating circumstances.
CU-Colorado Springs (12-13, 7-9 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) is now tied with Adams State for the eighth, and final, playoff spot with three conference matches remaining. Both teams lead Chadron State by one game. Adams State holds the tiebreaker advantage head-to-head against CU-Colorado Springs, while the Mountain Lions hold the advantage should there be a three-way tie.
"Beating Western is huge as far as our tournament chances are concerned," said Mountain Lions coach Jessica Wood.
The Mountain Lions had a season-high 13 aces and eight team blocks as they limited the Mountaineers to a lowly .114 hitting percentage
"We have been working hard on serving in practice, and I think that showed tonight," said Meeter. "We knew if we served tough it would take their offense out of the game."
Jill Wrenn led a balanced Mountain Lion attack with 10 kills. Kelly Olson had seven kills, 11 digs and four blocks.
CU-Colorado Springs never trailed the entire match, and held comfortable leads at some point in all three games. The win broke a six-match losing streak and gave the Mountain Lions much needed momentum going into the season's homestretch.
"This is very good for our confidence," said Andrea Weedman who had nine kills and 11 digs.
The Mountain Lions now turn their attention to Mesa State, which visits the Lions' Den Saturday evening. The Mavericks are in first place in the RMAC's West Division.
UCCS Players/Staff Featured | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Kelly Olson | 2 | OH | Sr. |
| Kelly Olson | 2 | OH | Jr. |
 | Lindsey Hillegass | 10 | S | Jr. |
 | Lindsey Hillegass | 10 | S | So. |
 | Jill Wrenn | 5 | OH/RS | Fr. |
 | Jill Wrenn | 4 | RS | So. |
 | Jill Wrenn | 5 | RS | |
 | Jill Wrenn | 5 | RS | |
 | Laura Meeter | 6 | S/L | Fr. |
 | Laura Meeter | 6 | S/L | Fr. |
 | Laura Meeter | 6 | S/L | Fr. |
 | Laura Meeter | 6 | S/L | Fr. |
| 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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