SPEARFISH, S.D. - The University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball team (6-5 / 2-1 RMAC) defeats Black Hills State (5-6 / 1-3 RMAC) tonight in straight sets (25-22, 25-18, 25-23). 

UCCS jumped out to an early lead in the first set as they went on a 9-2 run to begin the match. They had a well-balanced offensive attack in the first set with seven different Mountain Lions recording one or more kills. The team was led by Kristen Sciacca, who recorded four of her match-high 13 kills in the set. 

The second set was much more closely contested as the teams were tied 13-13 midway through. UCCS went on another run, much like they did to begin the first set, as they closed out the second set 25-18. 

Freshman Emily Whitelaw led the team on the offensive end, with five of her 10 kills in the set. Whitelaw finished the match with an attack percent of .333 and also tied for a match-high three block assists.

The third set was somewhat of a combination of the first two, as UCCS jumped out to an early 9-4 lead much like they did in the first, but the Yellow Jackets battled back to tie the set up midway through. Unlike the second set though, Black Hills State was able to weather the storm and keep the score close late in the game. The result however, would be the same as the first two sets, as UCCS won the third 25-23 to win the match in straight sets. 

Grace Gordon had a good all-around performance as she finished with a match-high 32 assists, tied for a match-high three block assists, and added eight digs with two kills. 

Jordan Banich also had a well-balanced night with 18 digs and seven kills. 

Up Next: UCCS will be back on the road Saturday as they travel to Chadron, Neb. to play the Eagles of Chadron State (3-8 / 0-3 RMAC) at 6 p.m.