BOCA RATON, Fla. - Nikki Kinzer had 12 kills and Lindsey Stich filled in admirably at setter as the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs swept the Valdosta State Blazers 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-16) Friday afternoon at the de Hoernle Center.

The win evened the Mountain Lions' record at the season-opening 2010 Lynn University Courtyard by Marriott Invitational at 1-1. Valdosta State fell to 0-2. The Mountain Lions will play again Friday, taking on California (Pa.) in the final match pof the day.

Stich, who will be replacing injured starter Cindy Bathelt, had 28 assists, five digs, three block assists, two kills and two service aces.

"Stich did a good job," said UCCS coach Keith Barnett. "She's running the offense now; the pressure's on her and if she doesn't perform, we have a loss.

Sonja Johnson and Nicole Pederson each added five kills. Pederson and Kinzer combined to give UCCS' middle blockers 17 kills, or 47.2 percent of the team's total.

"We were bigger than them in the middle," said Barnett. "They were good blockers, but we're tall enough that it took its toll."

Kinzer assisted on five of the Mountain Lions' seven blocks, while Alex Nuttall and Kendall Utz led the defense with seven digs each.

Irene Hannon led Valdosta State with 13 kills.

All 11 Mountain Lions who were healthy enough to play got in the game. For freshmen Danica Lawrence, Erika Cushnie and redshirt freshman Darby Jones, it was their first playing time of the young season.

"We played well - well enough to get everyone in and that's important," said Barnett. "The benefit is that now it's under their belt and they won't be nervous when we call on them. It's important that we can rely on them."