Mountain Lions Still Unbeaten at Home: 8-0

Colorado Springs, Colo. - The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's volleyball team beats New Mexico Highlands University 3- 1 (25-20, 25-21, 23-25, 25-12) on Saturday night. With the win, UCCS improves to 11-5 / 6-2 RMAC and extents their home record to 8-0.

The first set was very competitive as there were 12 ties and five lead changes on route to the Mountain Lion's 25-20 win. The Mountain Lion offense was led in the first set by senior Amy Einspahr, who recorded five of her 11 kills in the set.  Einspahr also added six block assists and one solo block in the match. Freshman Jordan Banich also added to the scoring output as she had four of her team-high 14 kills in that first set as well.

The Mountain Lions carried their momentum into the second set as they would go on to win 25-21, but were in firm control the entire set. There were zero ties and zero lead changes. Banich would continue her stellar play in this set as well, as she added four more kills and four digs in the second set.  

The raining RMAC female player of the month, Nikki Kinzer found her groove in the second set as she had four of her seven kills for 4.5 points. Kinzerwould also finish the match with a game-high of nine block assists, which moves her into No. 2 all-time at UCCS in block assists, passing Tara Henry (1995-1997). Kinzer has 309 career block assists, and needs just 42 more to become No. 1 all-time at UCCS.

With their backs against the wall, the Cowgirls answer by winning the third set 25-23. The Mountain Lions were led in this set once again by freshman Jordan Banich, who added five more kills in the third set.  Banich would also add eight digs with two block assists.

UCCS would come back to win the fourth set 25-12 to win the match 3-1. Leading the way in the final set for the Mountain Lions was freshman Kim Catlett who had three of her eight kills in that set. Catlett would also finish with seven digs and two block assists.

The offense for UCCS was set up all night by freshman Grace Gordon and senior Lindsey Stich. Gordon would finish with 20 assists and six digs. Stich recorded 27 assists while adding three digs and one kill. With tonight's output, Stich moves into No. 9 all-time at UCCS in assists with a career total of 1364, passing Courtney Weedman (2006-2007). Stich now needs 51 more to become No. 8 all-time in school history.

Up Next: The Mountain Lions will be on the road next weekend as they play Western State, Adams State and CSU-Pueblo on consecutive nights.  UCCS will be back at the Gallogly Events Center to defend their 8-0 home record on Thursday, October 18 as they take on Fort Lewis.