Mountain Lions Drop Senior Night Match 3-2 to Fort Lewis

10/31/2026 5:53:00 PM

By: Julia Lashlee, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball team lost 3-2 to Fort Lewis on Saturday afternoon despite a dominating fourth set performance. Prior to the game, seniors Nicole Himebauch and Karlee Pinell were recognized for the outstanding accomplishments they have earned throughout their collegiate careers.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final Score: L, 2-3 (25-23, 26-28, 23-25, 25-16, 10-15)
Records: UCCS (14-10, 9-3 RMAC) | FLC (13-11, 7-6 RMAC)
Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.
All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions move to an all-time record of 33-27 with this afternoon's loss against the Skyhawks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs started in a deficit as Alina Nunez was the first to put points on the scoreboard, but kills from Karlee Pinell, Payton Tompkins, and Nicole Himebauch earned the Mountain Lions a 4-2 lead over the Skyhawks. Action went back and forth over the next few minutes, with neither team scoring more than two consecutive points until UCCS went on a 3-0 scoring run to force Fort Lewis College to trail 15-10. The Mountain Lions kept FLC at bay for the remainder of the first set, and despite a last-second 3-0 scoring run by the Skyhawks, UCCS claimed a 25-23 victory to begin the match.
The Mountain Lions kicked off the second set with quick kills from Sydney Hyde, Himebauch, and Pinell to gain a 4-1 advantage. Moments later, UCCS went on a 4-0 scoring run to earn a comfortable lead, but the Skyhawks were able to counter with a 3-0 scoring run. A slew of kills ensued for both teams, until FLC went on a 4-0 run to tie the score 12-12. Another 4-0 scoring run was in store for the Skyhawks soon after, and the match was tied again with a score of 20-20. Despite impressive kills from Sydni Lafasciano, Hyde, and Tompkins, a service ace by Sydney Vogel sealed a 28-26 second set victory for FLC.
The Skyhawks began the third set with a 3-0 scoring run, followed by a kill from Ellie Ames to force UCCS to trail 4-1. Aubrey Miller entered the match and immediately logged a service ace, but three consecutive kills from FLC put the Mountain Lions in a five-point deficit. After giving up three more points, UCCS went on a 4-0 scoring run before allowing the Skyhawks to earn three more points. Momentum finally prevailed on the home team's side as a kill from Lafasciano kicked off a 5-0 scoring run, bringing the score to 14-13 in favor of FLC. The Skyhawks were the first to reach 20 points and kept UCCS trailing for the remainder of the third set, gaining a 2-1 lead in the match.
A new lineup started the fourth set for the Mountain Lions, and an attacking error allowed UCCS to gain a single-point lead. Both teams logged a slew of kills until the score was tied 6-6 following. The Skyhawks managed to gain one point from a service error, but the Mountain Lions quickly countered with a 4-0 scoring run to earn a 12-7 advantage. Teams traded points for the next few minutes but UCCS was able to keep FLC in a deficit leading up to a 4-0 scoring run, which forced the Skyhawks to trail 22-13. A service ace by Sydnee Walker allowed the Mountain Lions to record a dominating victory in the fourth set, 25-16.
FLC logged a 3-0 scoring run to kickoff the fifth set, but Tompkins and Himebauch responded with impressive kills. After back and forth action, UCCS found themselves trailing 9-7 before the Skyhawks logged yet another 3-0 run. Despite stunning kills from Walker, Lafasciano, and Hyde, the Mountain Lions were forced to concede the final set 15-10 and ultimately drop the match 2-3.

MATCH STATISTICS

The Mountain Lions led in points (109-107), kills (68-64), total attacks (218-189), assists 62-61), block solos (4-0), and total blocks (8.0-5.0). The Skyhawks led in hitting percentage (.206-.202), service aces (6-5), block assists (10-8), and digs (103-91).
Four UCCS players hit double digits in the kills column: Sydni Lafasciano (19), Sydney Hyde (15), Payton Tompkins (13), and Nicole Himebauch (10).
Aubrey Miller collected 32 assists while Charlette Albers chipped in 16.
Three Mountain Lions recorded at least one service ace: Himebauch (2), Sydnee Walker (2), and Aubrey Miller (1).
Alysse Marcoso logged 28 digs against the Skyhawks.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

Sydni Lafasciano earned two season high marks this afternoon, recording 19 kills against FLC and collecting 20.5 points.
Payton Tompkins ranks fifth in total kills during the junior season, logging 333 in the 2026 season. Tompkins also ranks second in the RMAC for total kills with a 3.62 average.

UP NEXT

The Mountain Lions will battle against New Mexico Highlands on November 6 at 6 p.m. at the NMHU John A. Wilson Complex in Las Vegas, N.M. for their second to last conference matchup.

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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.

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