THIS WEEK'S MATCHES

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball team will be on the road this weekend visiting Adams State University and Fort Lewis College in their second week of conference match-ups.

• Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at Adams State University (4-7, 0-2 RMAC), Alamosa, Colo./ASU Plachy Hall
• Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. at Fort Lewis College (4-7, 0-2 RMAC), Durango, Colo./FLC Whalen Gymnasium

GAME COVERAGE

Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/uccs/

Live Stats @ ASU: https://asugrizzlies.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary

Live Stats @ FLC: https://goskyhawks.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary

LAST TIME OUT

The UCCS Mountain Lions had an exciting weekend with both matches going into five sets. Friday night the Mountain Lions nearly beat nationally ranked No. 18 Regis University. Each set had multiple lead changes, but ultimately the Rangers pulled through in the final set for the win. Saturday night started off slow with the team falling in the first two sets to the Colorado Christian University Cougars. The two teams were evenly matched with each of UCCS' kills being met by CCU. The Mountain Lions picked up the intensity in the final three sets resulting in their first conference win.

The Series

• The Mountain Lions are on a three match win streak against the Grizzlies with the last match-up resulting in a 3-2 at home. 
• UCCS swept the last September, 3-0, against FLU making it the 14th consecutive win and look to add to that number. The match-up record favors the Mountain Lions over the Skyhawks, 27-21.

Scouting Report

• Adams State faces UCCS with an overall record of 4-7 and a conference record of 0-2. Shannon Mulky and Mackenzie Swanson look to continue their defensive prowess, as Mulky has tallied 33 of the team's 62 blocks for the season and Swanson with 117 digs. Hannah Goddard and Riley Oglevie look to lead their team to victory accounting for half of the team's kills.
• Fort Lewis College started the weekend at home 4-7 overall and 0-2 in the RMAC. They are a young team with 12 new players and are still finding their chemistry as the season enters its fourth week. Freshman Payton Harmon is a strong contender for the team ranking seventh in assists in the RMAC, averaging 7.32 assists per set.

Hot Takes

• Lauren Brown pulled through on defense against Rangers and Cougars last weekend, averaging 1.4 blocks per set.
• Raelynn Edge had a big weekend with 25 assists, nine digs, and two blocks in the final three sets against the Cougars to help UCCS with the comeback win.
• Grace Nelson started the weekend strong with a season-high 16 kills against Regis, coming close to her career high 19.
• Emily Ettel accounted for 52 assists combined for the two matches.

RMAC Leaders

• Freshman Emily Ettel stays in the top five in assists in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, ranking fourth with 9.4 assists per set.
• Jordyn Kinsey ranks number ten in the RMAC with 4.08 digs per set.

UCCS Under Head Coach Chrissy Elder

• Chrissy Elder is in her seventh season as Head Coach of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball program. In her first six seasons, Elder has led the Mountain Lions to the RMAC Tournament every year, and has coached 19 all-conference and 28 academic all-conference performers.
• Elder came to UCCS from the University of Central Missouri where she was a member of a coaching staff that lead the Jennies to the NCAA Division II national semifinals in 2010 and the national quarterfinals in 2011. She joined the staff in 2007 as an assistant coach before she was promoted to Head Assistant Coach in 2009. Prior to joining the staff at Central Missouri, Elder was the interim head coach for the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She joined the Kangaroo staff as a graduate assistant coach in 2005. Elder finished her collegiate playing career at Pittsburg State University, where she also doubled as a student assistant coach for the Gorillas in her senior season. She was an All-American and All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association setter. In 2005, Elder earned her bachelor's degree in recreation and fitness management from Pittsburg State, and in 2008 she went on to earn her master's degree from UMKC.

T-MINUS 6 Wins

• Coach Elder is six wins away from reaching the 100-win milestone marks. An interim head coach in 2006 at Missouri-Kansas City where she went 7-23, she has garnered 87 wins at UCCS (87-88), including three winning seasons. In seven years as a head coach, Elder has a 94-111 record.

Upcoming Matches

Next week the Mountain Lions will be on the road for a Tuesday night game against Colorado School of Mines, but will come home for the weekend to challenge South Dakota School of Mines and Black Hills State.

• Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. at Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colo./CSM Lockridge Arena
• Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. vs. SD School of Mines, Colorado Springs, Colo./Gallogly Events Center
• Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. vs. Black Hills St., Colorado Springs, Colo./Gallogly Events Center