The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs volleyball team lost an emotional match 3-2 to the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks (6-1) in the third game of the Rockhurst Classic of Saturday. The Mountain Lions (2-6) struggled with their execution, tallying a total of 48 errors, and a fantastic Maverick front line that produced 19 blocks.
Game 1 opened like it was going to be a slaughter as the Mountain Lions came out to an early 9-1 lead. The Mavericks had simply not yet woken up. They went on a 9-3 run to bring the score to 12-10 in favor of the Mountain Lions. Both teams then traded runs back and forth in an emotional tug-of-war until the Mavericks managed to tie the game up at 26-26. The Mountain Lions proved stronger as they won the game 33-31 on a block by
Brooke Akers and
Stephanie Laband.
In Game 2, the Mavericks had the momentum as they methodically moved to a 17-8 lead. The Mountain Lions never found their pace throughout the game, giving up 16 points on errors, our of those in service errors. The Mavericks blocking game was also exceptional, managing seven blocks, six involving Danielle Zimmermann, as the Mavericks took the game 30-13.
Game 3 played out much like game two as the Mountain Lions continued to struggle in finding their pace and rhythm. The Mountain Lions initial service was the only lead they would see as the Mavericks took control of the game and set the pace. The Mavericks intensity fed on itself as they Mountain Lions took the loss 30-20.
Game 4 opened with a UCCS lead of 12-5 as a seemingly different team went on the floor for the Mountain Lions. UCCS held onto their lead, never letting the Mavericks take control of the momentum of the game. The Mountain Lions continued to play with intensity and teamwork as they took the game with a decisive 30-21.
It all came down to Game 5. Both teams played to a high level of intensity, trading points with neither team able to seal the game. The Mountain Lions were unable to clinch the win past the Mavericks front line and lost the game 18-16.
Akers had 19 kills on 33 attempts to lead the Mountain Lions.
Diane Sheldon had 11 kills on 35 attempts.
Zimmermann led the Mavericks with 17 kills on 30 attempts and 12 blocks. Ashley Nachreiner had 17 kills on 42 attempts and Amanda Beekman had 10 kills on 29 attempts.
