THIS WEEK
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball team (2-8, 0-2 RMAC) will open their home season tonight against No. 25 Colorado School of Mines. The Mountain Lions have played their first 10 matches away from Gallogly Events Center. UCCS will remain at home this weekend as they play host to Fort Lewis College on Friday at 7 p.m., and Adams State University on Saturday at 5 p.m.
FIRST RESPONDERS NIGHT
The UCCS Department of Athletics will be recognizing local First Responders tonight. Prior to the match, all local first responders who are able to attend the match will be recognized before the playing of the National Anthem by the UCCS Pep Band. Following the second set, UCCS band director Mark Israel will play a solo trumpet performance of "God Bless America." All local first responders and their families will be admitted free into tonight's match. Parking will also be free from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. in Lots 222 and 224.
SCOUTING THE OREDIGGERS
Colorado School of Mines enters this week on a two-match winning streak and undefeated in conference play (8-2, 2-0 RMAC). The Orediggers, who entered the AVCA top 25 this week at No. 25, earned wins last week over No. 15 Regis University and Colorado Christian University. Defense has been their calling card this year with 15 blocks last week against CCU. Abby Tiesman leads Colorado School of Mines with 36 blocks on the year. Mines leads all RMAC teams overall with a .238 hitting percentage.
SCOUTING THE SKYHAWKS
FLC enters the weekend on a one game losing streak (1-5, 1-1 RMAC). The Skyhawks earned their first win of the season last Friday night in their home opener against Chadron State College (W, 3-1), followed by a 3-1 setback to MSU Denver on Saturday. Senior transfer Haley Christiansen leads the team with 3.17 kills per set and 3.70 digs per set.
SCOUTING THE GRIZZLIES
Adams State University opened the conference season last weekend at home. The Grizzlies were swept by MSU Denver on Friday but bounced back to sweep Chadron State College. ASU owns a 4-6 overall record and are 1-1 in RMAC matches. Hannah Goddard leads the team with 3.13 kills per set. Meanwhile, Rachael Ringler has been averaging 10 assists per set.
LEADERS IN THE RMAC
Several Mountain Lions are ranked among the top 10 in the RMAC this season.
Josie Russell's attack game has been solid this season with her .359 hitting percentage, ranking her third in the conference.
Raelynn Edge continues to set up her teammates at a very strong clip, posting 10.76 assists per set, good for the second most in the league. Defensively,
Lauren Brown's 35 total blocks place her 10
th overall with 0.88 blocks per set, and
Jordyn Kinsey is fifth with 4.95 digs per set.
AWARD WINNERS
This season,
Raelynn Edge and
Alyssa Brinton have earned awards for the Mountain Lions. Edge was named last week's RMAC Setter of the Week on Sept. 3, the first conference award of the season for the Mountain Lions. In four matches at the Dixie State University Volleyball Classic, Edge averaged 11.7 assists.
Senior outside hitter
Brinton opened the season earning 2018 Washburn Invitational All-Tournament Team honors. In four matches, Brinton hit .250 or better in the final three matches and averaged 3.25 digs per set.
LAST TIME OUT
The Mountain Lions began conference play with losses at Colorado Christian University and Regis University last weekend, falling to both teams in four sets. After winning the first set in each match, the Mountain Lions were swept in the final three sets.
UP NEXT
After three home matches this week, UCCS will head out on the road Sept. 21-22. They will take on Black Hills State University on Friday at 7 p.m. and South Dakota School of Mines on Saturday at 3 p.m.
