COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – For the second time in three matches, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball team swept their opponent as the Mountain Lions earned a 3-0 win tonight against visiting Black Hills State University. The win was UCCS' third win in their last four matches as they improve to 8-14 overall and 5-10 in league matches.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Score: 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-19)
- Records: UCCS (8-14, 5-10 RMAC) | Black Hills State (7-16, 4-11 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions lead the all-time series over the Yellow Jackets, 11-3, and have won three of the last four matches.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Yellow Jackets controlled the opening set as they jumped to a 14-9 lead but the Mountain Lions answered with a 14-4 run to snag their first lead of the game and a 23-18 advantage. The Mountain Lions used four kills, two aces and forced BHSU to commit seven errors during the run as Grace Ferguson's kill from Emily Ettel gave UCCS a 19-18 lead, followed by three straight errors from the visitors. Leading 24-20, Ettel put down the set-winning kill for a come-from-behind win.
- Both teams battled in the second set as the score was tied six times and the lead changed four times. Hannah Ammerman and Maren Burkhart combined for a block on BHSU's Jessica Crane to boost the Mountain Lions to a two-point lead, 24-22. Serving set point, the Yellow Jackets weren't finished as Sierra Ward kept BHSU alive with a kill. Ammerman put the set away and gave UCCS a 2-0 lead after she put down her fourth kill of the night.
- In the third and final set, the Mountain Lions made a strong run to close out the set and earn the match win. Down the stretch, Ammermans' kill from Ettel gave UCCS a four-point cushion, 20-16. Burkhart sealed the win for UCCS as she accounted for the final three kills, giving UCCS a 25-19 set win.
MATCH STATISTICS
- Burkhart tied for match high honors with 10 kills while posting a match high .400 hitting mark on 20 attempts. Camden Strain followed with nine kills and Lauryn Shockley chipped in eight.
- Along with Ettel's three kills, she added 28 assists and a block assist.
- Ammerman and Burkhart each assisted on three blocks as UCCS finished the night with five team blocks.
- The Mountain Lions outhit BHSU, 40-37 in kills and .222 to .134 in hitting percentage. UCCS also bested the Yellow Jackets in blocks (5-4) and digs (47-41).
- BHSU was led by Sierra Ward's 10 kills and three block assists.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Mountain Lions' 40 kills tonight are the third most kills this season in a three-set match, while the 108 attempts and 47 digs are the second most in a three-set match.
- Tonight's sweep was UCCS' first home sweep of the season.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will close out their home season tomorrow night, Nov. 6 at 5 p.m. against South Dakota Mines. Following the match, UCCS will honor their three seniors – Maren Burkhart, Grace Ferguson and Meaghan Oosterhous.
SOCIAL
Twitter - @GoMountainLions
Instagram - @gomountainlions
Facebook – Go Mountain Lions
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 16 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.