Short-handed Mountain Lions can't keep pace with Colorado Christian
COLORADO SPRINGS - Eleven kills each by Nikki Kinzer and Sonja Johnson weren't enough to carry the University of Colorado Colorado Springs as the shorthanded Mountain Lions were beaten by 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 30-28, 25-17) by the Colorado Christian Cougars Friday evening at the Gallogly Events Center.
If there were ever an example of how important defense and passing is in the game of volleyball, Friday was it. The teams were evenly matched offensively. Lauren Rosenthal of Colorado Christian and UCCS' Cindy Bathelt, two of the better setters in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, were both outstanding.
On the back row, however, the Mountain Lions were without their two best defenders - Skylar Lewandowski and Alex Wood - and the difference showed. The Mountain Lions were forced out of system by the strong-serving Cougars and hit just .130 for the match with 28 hitting errors.
Colorado Christian (8-8, 5-2 RMAC) got 16 digs from libero Cassidy Burke, while Ali Weber assisted on eight of CCU's 12 blocks. Andi Weber led the Cougars with 13 kills.
Johnson had a match-high 17 digs for UCCS (9-7, 4-3 RMAC) and Jenica Shippy, an outside hitter who was pressed into duty at libero in Lewandowski's absence, added 11 digs.
UCCS Players/Staff Featured | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sonja Johnson | 6 | OH | |
 | Sonja Johnson | 6 | OH | |
 | Sonja Johnson | 6 | OH | |
 | Sonja Johnson | 6 | OH | |
 | Jenica Shippy | 9 | OH | |
 | Jenica Shippy | 9 | OH | |
 | Jenica Shippy | 9 | OH | |
 | Cindy Bathelt | 16 | S | |
 | Cindy Bathelt | 16 | S | |
 | Cindy Bathelt | 16 | S | |
 | Alex Wood | 13 | RS | Fr |
 | Alex Wood | 13 | RS | So |
 | Alex Wood | 13 | RS | Jr |
 | Alex Wood | 13 | RS | Sr |
 | Nikki Kinzer | 2 | MB | Sr |
 | Nikki Kinzer | 2 | MB | |
 | Nikki Kinzer | 2 | MB | |
 | Skylar Lewandowski | 11 | DS/L | |
 | Skylar Lewandowski | 11 | DS/L | |
| Additional News Stories | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| February 27, 2012 |  | Cindy Bathelt to play professional volleyball in Rome | Cindy Bathelt will be playing in Rome next fall! The UCCS senior setter will be playing for Aprilia Volleyball Club from August 2012 through May 2013. Aprilia is currently a ‘Serie C’ team that is looking to regain its form and move up the ladder in the Italian rankings. The club is serious about this undertaking, as they’ve hired a trio of American players. Joining Cindy are an outside hitter from Wake Forest and a middle blocker from the University of Miami. They will be 20 minutes south of Rome and living together after a month each with a host family. Italian lessons are mandatory and Cindy is excited to, “have the opportunity to pursue the next chapter in (her) career in such an incredible place as Italy. The people are very outgoing, rich in culture, and the pizza is the best in the world!” |
| November 16, 2011 |  | Kinzer named to Daktronics All-Central Region Team | University of Colorado Colorado Springs middle blocker Nikki Kinzer was named second-team Daktronics All-Central Region, it was announced Wednesday. |
| November 11, 2011 |  | UCCS' Bathelt named to academic all-district team | Cindy Bathelt of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs was named to the 2011 Capital One Division II Academic All-District VII Volleyball Team, it was announced Thursday. |
| November 8, 2011 |  | Kinzer, Bathelt named all-RMAC | COLORADO SPRINGS - Nikki Kinzer and Cindy Bathelt of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs were each named to the 2011 all-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Team, the RMAC announced Tuesday. |
| November 5, 2011 |  | UCCS concludes season with win over Chadron State | CHADRON, Neb. – Behind solid production from the team’s seniors, each of whom was likely playing in their final collegiate match, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs swept the Chadron State Eagles 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-19). |
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