No. 8 Minnesota-Duluth proves too much for Mountain Lions
COLORADO SPRINGS- The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs finished the 2008 Marriott Volleyball Invitational with a 1-3 record after Saturday evening's 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-21) loss to the No. 8-ranked Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs at the Lions'Den.
The Mountain Lions are now 4-4 on the season. They will play Colorado Christian in their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener on Tuesday and intra-city rival Colorado College on Wednesday, both at the Lions'Den.
Most of the numbers in this one were surprisingly even. Minnesota-Duluth outhit UCCS by a slim margin, .158-.146 and each team had six blocks. The Bulldogs did serve much better, with five aces and only two errors compared to no aces and seven errors. UMD also passed better, allowing setter Eleena Iisakka to collect 40 assists.
Sarah Wyffels led Minnesota-Duluth (6-2) with 11 kills, while Lindsay Clairmont added 10. Brenda Hansen had a match-high 17 digs.
Molly Crockett led UCCS with 11 kills and 12 digs. Kim Boogaard was solid, with seven kills, five assisted blocks and a .400 hitting mark.
The Mountain Lions were in good position to take the first set, leading 23-21 after consecutive kills by Crockett. April Hansen got a kill to cut it to 23-22, after which Rachel Jacobson's service game kept UCCS on its heels. The resulting weak attacks led to powerful counterattacks as kills by Iisakka and Wyffels closed out the set.
The Mountain Lions struggle with their passing in the second set as Minnesota-Duluth led wire-to-wire.
Two Crockett kills helped UCCS open the third set with a 4-1 lead, but the Bulldogs answered with a 6-0 run. Crockett and Karina Miastkowska had kills to help tie the set at seven, but UMD answered with a 5-0 run. The Mountain Lions worked their way back, tying the set at 14 and were still tied at 20 when two kills and an assisted block by Clairmont sent the Bulldogs to the win.
UCCS Players/Staff Featured | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Karina Miastkowska | 1 | MB | |
 | Molly Crockett | 14 | OH | |
 | Molly Crockett | 14 | OH | |
 | Molly Crockett | 14 | OH | |
| Additional News Stories | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| December 4, 2008 |  | UCCS Signee Laura Brodie Named to Class 4A All-State Team | University of Colorado at Colorado Springs volleyball signee Laura Brodie was named to the Rocky Mountain News Class 4A All-State team, which was published in the newspaper on Thursday. |
| November 19, 2008 |  | Mountain Lions Sign Brodie, MVP of Class 4A State Tournament | University of Colorado at Colorado Springs volleyball coach Jessica Wood announced Wednesday the signing of Cheyenne Mountain High School senior Laura Brodie to a national letter of intent. |
| November 8, 2008 |  | Volleyball season comes to end with loss to Nebraska-Kearney | KEARNEY, Neb.- The season came to an end Saturday for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs volleyball team with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-12, 25-14) loss to the No. 8-ranked Nebraska-Kearney Lopers at the Health and Sports Center. |
| November 4, 2008 | Crockett leads Mountain Lions past Colorado Christian | LAKEWOOD- Molly Crockett had 14 kills to lead the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs volleyball team to a 3-1 (25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 25-19) victory over the Colorado Christian Cougars Tuesday evening at Cougar Fieldhouse. | |
| November 1, 2008 |  | Mountain Lions' playoff hopes officially end with loss at Regis | DENVER- The playoffs will have to wait for the young University of Colorado at Colorado Springs volleyball team.The Mountain Lions mounted a spirited comeback but were unable to finish it Saturday evening in a 3-2 (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 14-25, 15-13) loss to the Regis Rangers at Regis Fieldhouse. |
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