UPCOMING MATCHES Friday, Sept. 7 at Colorado Christian University | 7 p.m. | Live Stats | Video Saturday, Sept. 8 at #15 Regis University | 5 p.m. | Live Stats | Video

THIS WEEK
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball team (2-6, 0-0 RMAC) will open the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference season this weekend when they travel to Colorado Christian University on Friday for a 7 p.m. match, and then down the road to Regis University for a 5 p.m. match on Saturday.
 
SCOUTING THE COUGARS
CCU enters the weekend on a four-match losing streak.  Four of the Cougars nine opponents have been ranked in the AVCA Top 25 poll.  The Cougars are led by Jacey Johnson's 2.36 kills per set.
 
SCOUTING THE RANGERS
For the third straight week, the Regis University Rangers are ranked in the AVCA Top 25.  RU dropped from No. 10 to No. 15 in this week's poll after going 2-2 at last weekend's Colorado Premier Tournament.  As a team, the Rangers are ranked second in the RMAC in hitting percentage (.211) and second in assists (12.64).  Controlling the offense is Silvia Basso who leads all RMAC players with 11.12 assists per set.
 
LEADERS IN THE RMAC
Several Mountain Lions are ranked individually in the RMAC top 10 this season.  Raelynn Edge is averaging the second most assists behind Basso, posting 10.88 assists per set.  Digging up the second most attacks in the league is Jordyn Kinsey.  Kinsey is averaging .509 digs per set, and has tallied at least 20 digs in a match six times.  Josie Russell's attack game is on-target as she has the third best hitting mark in the league with a .381 hitting percentage.  She has accounted for 65 kills on 145 attempts and only 13 errors.  Alyssa Brinton has put down 107 kills in 34 sets, averaging 3.15 kills per set, marking the sixth most in the league.
 
AWARD WINNERS
Edge was named this week's RMAC Setter of the Week, the first conference award of the season for the Mountain Lions.  In four matches last week at the Dixie State University Volleyball Classic, Edge averaged 11.7 assists, the second most in the conference over the weekend.  She started the weekend with 75 assists in a five-set win against Adams State, followed by 55 assists and 12 digs in a five-set loss to No. 18 Tarleton State. She tallied 45 assists against the home team on Friday, followed by 37 assists against Western New Mexico University.  Along with her 212 assists, Edge added 32 digs, 11 kills and two aces.
 
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 closed out the non-conference portion of their schedule this past weekend in St. George, Utah at the Dixie State University Volleyball Classic.  UCCS won the first match of the weekend against Adams State on Thursday, before falling in five sets to No. 18 Tarleton State University.  UCCS' non-conference run ended with two four-set setbacks to Dixie State University and Western New Mexico University.
 
UP NEXT
After playing their first 10 matches of the season on the road, the Mountain Lions open their home season on Tuesday, Sept. 11 against Colorado School of Mines.  The home opener will also be featured as "First Responders Night." Local First Responders will be recognized during the match on the 17^th anniversary of 9/11.
 
UCCS will remain at home Sept. 14-15 during Homecoming Weekend. The Mountain Lions will play host to Fort Lewis College on Friday at 7 p.m., and Adams State University at 5 p.m.