Chadron, Neb. --
Brooke Akers had 23 kills and
Heidi Fehringer added 22 more as the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs defeated the Chadron State Eagles 3-1 (30-22, 25-30, 30-22, 30-23) Friday evening at Armstrong Gymnasium.
Andrea Weedman and
Stephanie Laband each had 21 digs for the Mountain Lions (16-9, 14-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference). UCCS' defense held Chadron State to a .089 hitting mark.
Lindsy Heisler led Chadron State (9-18, 6-10 RMAC) with 11 kills. Bridgette Boswell added a solo block and seven assisted blocks as the Eagles stuffed 13 UCCS attacks in the match.
Diane Sheldon had three kills as the Mountain Lions opened Game 1 with a 9-1 lead. The Eagles were able to trim the lead to five, but got no closer.
Game 2 was tied at 19 when two blocks by Boswell and two service aces by Heisler gave Chadron State a 23-19 lead. UCCS closed to within two before the Eagles ran off three straight to open a 27-22 lead from which the Mountain Lions could not recover.
Akers took over in Game 3, recording seven kills, five of which came as UCCS broke open a close 16-14 advantage.
Chadron State opened the fourth game with a 6-0 lead with Heisler serving. UCCS battled back to forge a 15-all tie. The game was still tied at 21 when two kills each by Akers and Fehringer helped the Mountain Lions close with a 9-2 run.
UCCS will face Nebraska-Kearney Saturday evening at Kearney in a match with big playoff implications. UCCS and UNK, along with Fort Lewis, are all 14-2 in the RMAC with three matches left. All are vying for the best record in the conference and, with it, the right to host the postseason tournament.
