Coming off Thursday's emotional win over national powerhouse Metro State, there was a very real concern that the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs volleyball team might suffer a letdown on Friday against the struggling Colorado Christian Cougars.

We needn't have worried.

The Mountain Lions improved to 8-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Friday night with a dominating 3-0 (30-14, 30-16, 30-22) victory over Colorado Christian at the Lions' Den.

"We knew that we needed to get our job done," said freshman setter Jessica Stewart, who led UCCS with 16 assists. "We knew we needed to stay focused and not let down."

With the win, combined with New Mexico Highlands' loss to Metro State Friday night, put the Mountain Lions alone in first place in the RMAC's Western Division.

UCCS played suffocating defense, holding the Cougars to a negative hitting percentage (-.067) on just 21 kills. Eleven of those kills came in Game 3, when UCCS coach Jessica Wood emptied her bench.

"(The Cougars) run a lot of higher balls to the outside so we were able to get out quicker and make sure the block was closed," said middle blocker Brittany Ramsay. "We were able to keep an eye on the setters and know where they were going."

Offensively, UCCS hit a robust .316 despite the many substitutions. The Mountain Lions recognized that while the Cougars had plenty of size, they were not as quick as some opponents. UCCS took full advantage.

"We ran some quicker plays," said Stewart.

"It was easier to run people around and split the block," added Ramsay.

Ramsay, who had four kills and three blocks, was pressed into the lineup because of an injury to Caroline Ottino. Ramsay has started the past four games and played as if she had been starting from the start of the season.

"We play game-like situations a lot in practice and we do a lot of scrimmaging," said Ramsay. "That keeps you on your toes and ready to go."

Kelley Angel led UCCS (11-7) with 11 kills, while Diane Sheldon added nine despite playing in only two games.

Becky Mogle led Colorado Christian (1-18, 0-10 RMAC) with seven kills.

Sheldon had six kills in Game 1, while Jill Wrenn and Angel added four each as UCCS hit .410 to run away with an easy 30-14 win.

The Cougars opened Game 2 with a 6-0 lead only to watch the UCCS score 17 of the next 20 points. The Mountain Lions had five of their seven blocks in the second game and held Colorado Christian to a miserable -.258 hitting mark.

Wood went deep into her bench for Game 3. Her team responded offensively with 15 kills while hitting .333, but struggled defensively. A kill by Savanna Beaver got the Cougars to within two at 20-18, but UCCS put the match away thanks partly two kills and a service ace by Andrea Weedman.

The Mountain Lions will play Regis on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Lions' Den.