COLORADO SPRINGS -- Brooke Akers had 20 kills and seven blocks (two solo) to lead to University of Colorado at Colorado Springs to a 3-1 (30-22, 26-30, 30-24, 30-22) victory over the Adams State Grizzlies Friday evening at the Lions' Den.

The Mountain Lions (9-8, 7-1 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) are now 6-0 at home.

UCCS came into the match having played the previous night, while Adams State came in rested. The fatigue didn't show offensively, though, as UCCS hit .232 despite a stingy Adams State defense. Libero Jessica Pickens had a match-high 19 digs, some of which were acrobatic, while Andrea Tuck participated in four of the Grizzlies' nine blocks.

"They're scrappy; they were all over the court," said Akers.

Stephanie Laband led the UCCS defense with 16 digs, while Andrea Weedman added 15 and Laura Meeter had 10. Jessica Stewart had 26 assists and Cortney Weedman had 20.

Andrea Tuck led Adams State (7-8, 3-4 RMAC) with 22 kills.

Tuck had two kills and a block as Adams State opened an early 9-6 lead in Game 1. The service game helped UCCS recover as the Mountain Lions went on a 14-6 run aided by four aces. After an Adams State point, UCCS reeled off four straight, including two kills by Akers, to open up a lead from which the Grizzlies could not recover.

After a clean first game, UCCS began showing signs of sloppiness, likely due in part to fatigue. The Mountain Lions committed seven hitting errors, five due to Adams State blocks, and five service errors to spot the Grizzlies to a 30-26 decision.

"We kind of lost our focus," said Akers. "(We were) hitting into blocks and not taking advantage of those one-on-ones. But it all came around in the end."

Indeed it did. After the intermission UCCS opened Game 3 with four straight points. Adams State closed the gap to 11-9 before UCCS reeled off six straight. Adams State never got closer than four afterwards.

The Mountain Lions held a slim 19-17 lead in Game 4, but three kills by Heidi Fehringer pushed UCCS to 9-3 run. Akers scored the final three kills to clinch the match.

The Mountain Lions will try to make it 7-0 at home when Western State visits Saturday at 7 p.m. They will also be playing their third match in as many nights.

"It can be physically difficult," said Akers, "but I think mentally we are a strong team and we won't let anything like that push us back."