COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball team ended their skid, defeating the Western Colorado University Mountaineers in three sets. The Mountain Lions trailed only once during the match, displaying a dominant performance in their return to the Gallogly Events Center.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Score vs. Western Colorado: 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-21)
- Records: UCCS (6-12, 4-4 RMAC) | WCU (4-15, 2-7 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- All-Time Series: UCCS leads the all-time series against Wester Colorado, 26-23.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Mountain Lions returned home and immediately jumped out to a lead, thanks to an early ace from Sydnee Walker. With the score sitting at 13-10 in favor of UCCS, the Mountain Lions rattled off five straight points, seeing two kills from Walker and Raegen Emery respectively. The home team played clean volleyball, committing only one error in the set. A fifth Emery kill put the Mountaineers away, as the Mountain Lions took set one, 25-17.
- A service error gave Western Colorado their first and only lead of the match, at 2-3. Both teams struggled to find a flow early on, as errors piled up for both sides. Back-to-back kills from Lauryn Shockley sparked a 5-0 run for UCCS, pulling away for the remainder of the set. Emery tallied two aces in the final three points, as the Mountain Lions took a commanding two sets to none lead.
- UCCS saved their best for last, as they opened the third set scoring four straight points. Behind the serve of Walker, Nicole Medlin put down two thunderous kills to set the tone for the set. The Mountaineers put up a fight, as a Maggie Olson ace cut their deficit to just two, prompting a UCCS timeout. Following the stoppage, the Mountain Lions rattled off three straight points, swinging the momentum back their way. Late in the set, Avery Ahlers secured her first collegiate kill, set up by Joei Barela. Following a final Mountain Lion timeout, Shockley put a bow on the match, notching a kill to complete the sweep for UCCS.
MATCH STATISTICS
- Shockley and Emery both tallied 10 kills to lead the way for the Mountain Lions, as the duo combined for 13 digs and three block assists.
- Walker was errorless at the net, hitting an impressive .625 behind five kills and eight attacks.
- Barela posted a match high 31 assists, as the sophomore added two kills and two block assists.
- Walker and Emery each posted a match high three aces, with only one error on 28 combined attempts.
- Medlin led the match with three block assists to go along with eight kills of her own.
- The Mountain Lions hit at an impressive .337 clip, notching 39 kills, 6 blocks, and 41 digs.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Barela's 31 assists were the most in a three-set match this season.
- Emery set a new career high with three aces.
- As a team, the Mountain Lion's .337 hitting percentage was their second highest in a match this season.
- With her 23 total attempts tonight, Shockley becomes the fifth player in program history to record at least 3,000 attempts. Shockley also is now tied for the most matches played in program history (119).
UP NEXT
- UCCS will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, as they hit the court at 1 p.m. to take on the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks. Prior to tomorrow's match, the Mountain Lions will be honoring their three seniors, Julia Geiger Camden Strain, and Lauryn Shockley.
SOCIAL
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 14 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
