COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball team celebrated their three graduating seniors on Saturday afternoon, securing a five-set victory over the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Score vs. Fort Lewis: 3-2 (25-18, 25-20, 23-25, 19-25, 15-11)
- Records: UCCS (7-12, 5-4 RMAC) | FLC (9-11, 4-6 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- All-Time Series: UCCS leads the all-time series against Fort Lewis, 29-24.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was Nicole Medlin who opened up scoring, putting down a kill off an assist from Joei Barela. A Maylen Mitrovich ace followed by a kill from Lauryn Shockley gave the Mountain Lions a quick 4-1 lead, one that they would keep for the remainder of the first set. Shockley's name was called often in the set, as the California native secured eight kills on 19 attempts in the initial set. As a team, UCCS notched 18 kills, as they downed the Skyhawks 25-18, taking the first set.
- The second set was a much tighter affair, seeing 11 ties and seven lead changes. With the score tied at 12, the Mountain Lions went on a 4-0 run behind the serve of Mitrovich. Kills from Shockley, Raegen Emery, and Julia Geiger provided the much needed spark for the home team, as this run proved to be the difference. A final kill from Shockley secured a second set victory, as the Mountain Lions pulled ahead, two sets to none.
- Once again, UCCS got early momentum behind the serve of Mitrovich, as the Mountain Lions raced out to a 6-1 lead. With their backs against the wall, Fort Lewis battled back to even the score at 11. The teams would trade rallies, until the Skyhawks rattled off three straight points late in the set. This would prove to be the dagger, as Fort Lewis took the third set, 23-25.
- Both teams battled during the fourth set, as neither team led by more than three points for the majority of the frame. A Medlin kill evened the score at 17, forcing a timeout from Fort Lewis. The Skyhawks were scorching out of the timeout, scoring four straight points to bury the Mountain Lions. Three-straight kills from Alina Nunez gave the visitors a 19-25 victory, forcing a fifth set.
- With the Gallogly Events Center roaring, UCCS raced out to a 8-1 lead in the final frame. Kills from Medlin, Mitrovich and Emery, followed by an ace from Shockley gave the Mountain Lions a 10-2 lead. The Skyhawks would not go away easily, as the visitors cut the lead to just four, which prompted a UCCS timeout. On match point, Mitrovich set up Geiger for a kill, securing the Mountain Lions victory in five sets.
MATCH STATISTICS
- Shockley showed out on Senior Day, leading the match with 19 kills on a blistering 65 attempts. The graduate student also dug up 12 attacks and led the match with two solo blocks and four block assists.
- Medlin had 12 kills in the match, as Geiger secured eight kills of her own.
- Mackenzie Ransom dug up a match-high 23 attacks, while recording seven assists and one ace.
- Mitrovich had a team-high 31 assists to go along with five kills and two aces.
- As a team, the Mountain Lions hit .208, with 62 kills, 10 aces, and nine team blocks.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Shockley has now cemented her name in the record books, as she is the all-time leader in career matches played in school history (120).
- Shockley's 65 attempts and six blocks were both career highs.
- Ransom's 23 digs marked a new career high for the libero.
- The Mountain Lions set a new season high for kills (62), attempts (183), and digs (85), while tying a season high with 54 assists.
UP NEXT
- UCCS will hit the road and play in the RMAC Power Pod, hosted by South Dakota School of Mines. The Mountain Lions will take on the Hardrockers at 6 p.m. on October 26th, and will play the Fort Lewis Skyhawks at 3 p.m. on October 27th.
SOCIAL
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@GoMountainLions
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@gomountainlions
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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.
