COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball team played host to Emporia State University in the first match of today's Mountain Lion Invitational, before closing the day with a home contest against University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The Hornets of ESU swept UCCS to start the day, but the Mountain Lions took the second set over UAFS in a 3-1 match loss.
In the morning match, UCCS was held to a .168 hitting percentage as the Mountain Lions out-hit the Hornets, 40-37 in kills, but committed 21 errors on 21 attempts.
Defensively at the net,
Taylor Smith and
Josie Russell both assisted on two blocks while Russell and
Lauryn Shockley each posted a solo block.
Raelynn Edge notched the start as the Mountain Lions setter, assisting on 22 attacks as freshman
Emily Ettel added 11 set assists.
Shockley hit .130 at the net behind a team nine nine kills.
The Hornets Mikayla Simons and Allie Christensen combined for 21 of ESU's 37 kills.
In the night cap match against the Lions, UCCS dropped the first set, 25-16, but dominated set two, 25-15. Despite falling in set three, 25-23, the Mountain Lions hit a .343 offensively as they recorded a match high 16 kills and a .343 hitting mark in the third set.
Smith led the offensive unit with 11 kills to go with four digs.
Lauren Brown sprung 10 kills while hitting .381.
Jordyn Kinsey notched 15 digs in the back line as
Hannah Ammerman covered both rows with 13 digs and seven kills.
UCCS (1-6) will play the last set of the Invitational on Saturday at 7 p.m. against Minot State University.
