GUNNISON, Colo. - It took reinforcements from Europe to slow down the streaking Mountain Lions.

Behind three big hitters from Poland, the Dowling Golden Lions ended the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs^' five-match winning streak 2-3 (30-24, 21-30, 22-30, 30-23, and 10-15) to wrap up the Comfort Inn Invitational Saturday.

The winning streak was the longest for CU-Colorado Springs since 2001. The five victories also equals the Mountain Lions^' win total for 2003.

Led by the Polish trio of Marta Slodnik, Justyna Michon and Natalia Koryzna, Dowling was by far the most powerful team CU-Colorado Springs faced in the tournament. Slodnik led the New York-based school with 21 kills, while Michon added 11. The Golden Lions^' 64 kills were the most allowed by CU-Colorado Springs^' stingy defense this season, as were the Golden Lions^' 13 service aces.

The first game began with a quicker pace than all of CU-Colorado Springs^' previous matches in the tournament. The pace suited the Mountain Lions as they jumped to an early 7-4 lead, but slowly relinquished their grasp on the lead and fell behind 15-13.

Towards the end of the first game, Dowling got called for a rotation violation and junior Lindsey Hillegass took full advantage of their confusion by landing two straight aces to bring the score to 24-21. CU-Colorado Springs maintained the momentum and won Game 1 30-24.

In game two, CU-Colorado Springs faced its largest deficit of the tournament when Dowling raced to a 27-15 lead. CU-Colorado Springs Freshman Natalie Newberry made a miraculous one-handed dig, that not only prevented a Dowling point, but also landed untouched on the other side of the net.

Newberry^'s amazing dig was immediately followed by a play in which freshman Andrea Weedman blasted the ball directly in the face of a Dowling defender. Somehow Dowling was able to return the ball over the net, but Weedman was right there to tip it back for a point.

Despite the efforts of Newberry and Weedman, Dowling held on for a 30-21 win in Game 2 to even the match.

Dowling maintained the in Game 3, using its power game to take a 30-22 win and a 2-1 match lead. Dowling hit .375 in Game 2 and .244 in Game 3.

CU-Colorado Springs became more aggressive at the net in Game 4 and it paid dividends. Denied its power game, Dowling hit only .128 and often seemed uncertain on the floor.

With the Mountain Lions leading 28-22, Hillegass scored her team-high fourth ace then the teams traded points to give CU-Colorado Springs the game and even the match.

Entering the second tiebreaking fifth game in under 24 hours, CU-Colorado Springs gave solid effort, but was hurt by mistakes. The Mountain Lions committed five of their 11 service errors in the deciding game. They also had a pair of hitting errors and two botched service returns as Dowling took Game 5 15-10.

Weedman and sophomore Jill Wrenn led CU-Colorado Springs with 16 kills each. Weedman was also outstanding defensively with 21 digs, while fellow freshman Laura Meeter added 19.