CANYON, Texas - The University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball team (2-0) defeats Texas-Permian Basin (0-2) by a final score of 3-2 (25-12, 19-25, 25-14, 25-27, 15-10) at the BritKare Lady Buff Classic and improves to 2-0 to start the season for the first time since 2001.  

The Mountain Lions fell behind 2-0 to begin the first set, but that would be the only time UCCS trailed in the set. Kim Catlett started the rally with two quick kills to tie the score. The Mountain Lions continued the surge by going on a 6-0 run moments later, and never looked back. 

Catlett, who started the rally, also finished it as her third service ace came on set-point. Catlett's well-rounded attack also included five digs, three kills and one assists in the first set. 

Emily Whitelaw and Cassidy Bush led the Mountain Lions on offense with five kills each in the 25-12 win. 

The University of Texas-Permian Basin jumped out to a quick lead again in the second set, but unlike in the first, the Mountain Lions were unable to catch up. 

Catlett led the Mountain Lions in the second set with three kills and four digs, but could not start a rally like she did in the first. UCCS finished on a 12-6 run, but fell short by a final score of 25-19. 

UCCS might not have been able to come all the way back in the second set, but it did capture the momentum heading into the third. Midway through the set, the score was tied 10-10, but the Mountain Lion's regained their momentum, which propelled them on a 9-0 run and proved to be the difference, as UCCS won 25-14.

Cassidy Bush recorded four of her match-high 17 kills in the set. Catlett added three more kills and two more service aces in the set. She finished with a match-high and career high six service aces, and added 13 kills with 16 digs. 

The momentum carried into the fourth set for UCCS as it led by as many as six points and the Mountain looked to be on their way to finishing out the match. The Falcons, however, plans of their own as they tied the set 24-24 and went on to score the next two points for the win. 

Jordan Banich had productive fourth set on offensive as she recorded six of her 11 kills. Grace Gordon also had a great fourth set with 13 of her match-high and career-high 43 assists. 

UCCS came out strong in the fifth and final set with a 5-1 advantage early on. The Mountain Lions were up by as many as seven points as they won the set 15-10 and closed out the match with a 3-2 victory. 

Up Next: UCCS will be back in action tomorrow for two more matches in the tournament, starting with Incarnate Word (2-0) at 10 a.m.