COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Taylor Hamilton and Josie Russell combined for 22 kills and nine individual blocks as the University of Colorado Colorado Springs swept Western State tonight in the Gallogly Events Center. The Mountain Lions (13-11, 10-6 RMAC) won in 25-21, 25-14 and 25-22 sets against the Mountaineers (2-23, 1-15 RMAC).

Hamilton hit .391 with 11 kills and six blocks, while Russell hit .259 on her 11 kills with three blocks. Taylor Smith added 10 kills to round out the offensive leaders. The UCCS defense held Western State to a .080 hitting percentage, the best defensive performance since Sept. 29 at Colorado State-Pueblo.

Both teams stayed within three points of each other in the first set until a five-point Mountain Lion run led to a 23-19 lead. The teams traded points, with UCCS earning points on kills from Smith and Hamilton for the 25-21 victory.

The Mountain Lions hit .286 in the second set and held the Mountaineers to a negative hitting percentage in a 25-14 set victory. Alyssa Brinton led the offense with five of her eight kills tonight in the second set.

Western State opened an 8-5 lead in the third set after a 6-1 rally, and put together a 6-2 run later for an 18-14 advantage. UCCS pulled back within a point after a kill from Russell and back-to-back kills from Hamilton, but the Mountaineers retook a three-point lead at 21-18. UCCS scored the next six points and reached match point at 24-21. After a Mountain Lion attack error, UCCS closed the match on a kill from Brinton in the 25-22 set win.

Raelynn Edge finished with 34 assists and increased her season total to 985. She moved into ninth in UCCS season records and is 29 assists away from eighth. Natasha Habert made 15 digs and improved her career total to 1,741. She needs 53 to tie the career record.

UCCS will finish the regular season next week in home matches with Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines. The Mountain Lions already secured an RMAC Tournament bid and will be playing for seeding in the matches.