DENVER, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball team recorded 12 blocks to earn a straight-set non-conference victory over Regis University Friday night, defeating the Rangers 25-21, 25-18, 25-13 at Regis Fieldhouse. UCCS held the advantage for a majority of the action tonight, finishing with 42 kills on 106 attacks (.292) while holding Regis to a .117 hitting percentage. Tonight's match is part of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Regional Pod and does not count toward conference standings.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Score: W, 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-13)
- Records: UCCS (8-5, 3-1 RMAC) | RU (1-14, 0-4 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: Regis Fieldhouse | Denver, Colo.
- All-Time Series: Entering the night on a two-match winning streak against the Rangers, the Mountain Lions now move to 9-49 all-time against Regis.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UCCS opened the match with a balanced attack and held off a late Regis push to take the first set, 25-21. The Mountain Lions hit .276 in the opening frame, recording 11 kills on 29 attempts. Nicole Himebauch opened her night with a pair of kills, while Payton Tompkins delivered four kills on seven swings for a .571 hitting percentage. Karlee Pinell added three kills on five attacks (.600), and Aubrey Miller contributed a kill and two assists while also recording two service aces.
- UCCS created separation late in the set. With the score tied at 15-15, the Mountain Lions went on a 6-1 run to take a 21-16 advantage. Pinell and Himebauch made key plays during the stretch before Sydni Lafasciano closed the set with a kill from Miller.
- The Mountain Lions turned up the offensive pressure in the second set, hitting .357 with 18 kills. Lafasciano led the way with six kills on 11 attacks (.455), while Himebauch added four kills and Hyde contributed three kills while hitting .600. Walker recorded two kills and three blocks, helping UCCS establish a presence at the net. After Regis took a 15-13 lead, UCCS responded with a convincing 8-0 run. Walker and Himebauch produced kills during the run, while the Mountain Lions' blocking effort forced Regis into several attacking errors. UCCS eventually closed the set on consecutive Lafasciano kills to take a 2-0 match lead.
- In the third and decisive set, UCCS quickly built a double-digit lead. The Mountain Lions continued their strong play at the net – both offensively and defensively, with 13 kills and five blocks. Sydney Hyde led UCCS with three kills on six attempts without an error (.500), while Lafasciano added three kills on five attacks (.400). Piper DeRuiter contributed two kills, and Sydnee Walker added a kill and an assist. Tori Greeney also made an impact with a service ace.
MATCH STATISTICS
- Lafasciano finished the match with a team-high 10 kills and 13.0 points.
- Himebauch and Hyde each recorded seven kills.
- Pinell added six kills while hitting .429, and Tompkins finished with six kills.
- Miller directed the UCCS offense with 18 assists, with Humphrey adding 10 assists.
- The Mountain Lions' defensive effort included 43 digs and 12 total team blocks.
- Sabrina Landman led Regis with eight kills. Teammate Kendal Allaire added six kills on seven block assists.
- UCCS held the Rangers to 29 kills and a .117 hitting mark.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Tonight's win at Regis is the second straight match UCCS has defeated the Rangers on their home court, and the fourth win at Regis all-time for UCCS. It also marks the first time in program history UCCS has defeated the Rangers in three straight matches.
- The 12 team blocks are the second most in a match this season by UCCS.
- Lafasciano was responsible for all three set-winning points tonight, ending each set with a kill, while also notching a career high four block assists.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will return home tomorrow to play host to Colorado State University Pueblo at 3 p.m. in a non-conference outing.
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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.
