RAPID CITY, S.D. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball team rallied from an opening-set loss to defeat South Dakota Mines, 3-1, Friday night at the King Center. The Mountain Lions dropped the first set, 25-19, before claiming the next three, 25-23, 25-18 and 25-22 in Rapid City, S.D.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Score: W, 3-1 (19-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-22)
- Records: UCCS (9-6, 4-1 RMAC) | SDM (11-4, 3-2 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: King Center | Rapid City, S.D.
- All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions lead the all-time series over South Dakota Mines, 12-5.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- South Dakota Mines controlled the opening set early, building a 3-0 lead before Payton Tompkins put down three straight kills to tie the set, 3-3. Nicole Himebauch helped spark the Mountain Lions' comeback with a pair of kills, while Tompkins added a kill of her own as UCCS trimmed the deficit. The Hardrockers held on to take the opening set, 25-19.
- UCCS responded with a strong start in the second set. Tori Greeney helped ignite a 7-0 Mountain Lion run with two service aces, while Tompkins and Sydney Hyde provided kills to give UCCS a 12-7 advantage. South Dakota Mines tied the set at 22-22, but the Mountain Lions finished the set with three of the final four points. Himebauch and Tompkins each recorded multiple kills in the frame, while Aubrey Miller quarterbacked the UCCS offense with 13 assists. UCCS closed out the set, 25-23, to even the match at 1-1.
- The Mountain Lions carried that momentum into the third set, opening an 8-5 lead. Holding on to an 11-9 lead after a mini run by the home team, UCCS was unwaivered as they went on a 7-1 run that featured two Mountain Lions aces and two kills, and two errors by SDM. Himebauch and Sydnee Walker added kills as UCCS maintained control of the set. Lafasciano also contributed offensively as the Mountain Lions pulled away late. Himebauch accounted for four of the Mountain Lions' final five points with three kills and a block assist with Walker to seal the win, 25-18. UCCS finished the set with 16 kills against just two errors, hitting .400 as a team. The Mountain Lions closed the frame on a 7-0 run to take the set, 25-18, and move ahead 2-1.
- UCCS continued to maintain control in the fourth set, scoring the first four points and forcing a South Dakota Mines timeout. Himebauch, Tompkins and Hyde each contributed kills during the early stretch, while Walker and Lafasciano added kills as the Mountain Lions maintained their advantage. Himebauch came through with a pair of kills during the late stages, including the match-clinching point, as UCCS held off a late Hardrocker push to secure the 25-22 win.
MATCH STATISTICS
- Payton Tompkins led the Mountain Lions with 15 kills while hitting .317 and added nine digs.
- Nicole Himebauch finished with 13 kills on a .333 hitting percentage and recorded three blocks.
- Sydnee Walker added nine kills and four blocks.
- Sydni Lafasciano tallied eight kills and four digs.
- Aubrey Miller led the Mountain Lions with 37 assists.
- Alysse Marcoso paced the UCCS defense with 17 digs, while Tori Greeney added 12.
- UCCS finished with 54 kills and hit .214 as a team.
- The Mountain Lions recorded eight team blocks and held South Dakota Mines to a .196 hitting percentage.
- South Dakota Mines was led by Cate Warren's 18 kills and .444 hitting mark.
- The Hardrockers finished the match with 50 kills, nine blocks and hit .196.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- UCCS set several season team highs in a four-set match with tonight's win, including most kills (54), attempts (159), assists (51), digs (70) and aces (10).
- Miller's 37 assists and Greeney's four aces also marked individual season highs for any Mountain Lions.
- Greeney's four aces and 12 digs set new career highs.
- Along with Miller's career high 37 assists, she also dug up a career high 13 digs.
- UCCS is 3-3 this season in four-set matches.
UP NEXT
- UCCS will stay in South Dakota tomorrow when they face Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D. at 1 p.m.
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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.
