COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball team secured a five-set victory over Michigan Tech University in their home opener as they began play in the 2026 Mountain Lion Classic.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Score: 3-2 (27-25, 25-13, 23-25, 21-25, 15-10)
- Records: UCCS (2-3, 0-0 RMAC) | MTU (2-3, 0-0 GLIAC)
- Facility | Location: Gallogly Events Center | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- All-Time Series: This was the first meeting for the two programs, giving UCCS a 1-0 start on the all-time record against Michigan Tech
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first set started off back-and-forth between UCCS and Michigan Tech, with the Huskies holding the lead but being unable to pull away, until three straight kills by Rachel Zurek gave them a four-point lead. After more back-and forth volleyball, the Mountain Lions found themselves down 17-22, setting the stage for six straight points, including kills from Sydney Hyde, Michelle Fredrick and Nicole Himebauch giving them their first lead of the game at 23-22. The Huskies regained the lead, and held the set point 23-24, before UCCS extended the first set and ultimately won 27-25 despite leading for only four serves in the set.
- The second set started with an 11-5 run for the Mountain Lions before Michigan Tech pulled their way back into the set with four straight kills, including three by Madelynn Kreider. The Mountain Lions were undeterred by the Huskie run and responded by scoring seven straight, with help from kills from Fredrick, Payton Tompkins and two from Hyde, as they extended their lead to 18-9. UCCS never looked back from there, growing their lead to 12 and eventually winning the second set 25-13.
- Michigan Tech started the third set off well as they looked to keep the game going, leading by as much as 6-10. The Mountain Lions then went on a 6-2 run to tie the game at 12 apiece. The set stayed knotted all the way until Michigan Tech scored three in a row to take a 22-24 lead before finishing the first set with a 23-25 score to extend the game.
- The fourth set started off with a 0-3 run for the Huskies, before quickly being evened out by UCCS at 4-4. The game remained back-and-forth until Michigan Tech finally broke away from UCCS with a four-point run and took a 17-13 lead. The Huskies never looked back in the fourth set as they won 21-25 and secured a fifth set.
- UCCS started the fifth set, scoring five of the first seven points, with help from three straight kills by Hyde. The Mountain Lions expanded their lead to 11-6 with a 3-0 run that included two kills from Tompkins as they eyed closing out the win. The Mountain Lions secured the win on a Sydni Lafasciano kill that ended the fifth set at 15-10.
MATCH STATISTICS
- Tompkins led the game with 18 total kills, while Lafasciano and Hyde tallied 13 each, as the three paved the way for UCCS to lead Michigan Tech 62-60 in total kills.
- Charlette Albers led the Mountain Lions with 23 assists, while Madelynn Kreider led the game with 37.
- Alysse Marcoso led all players in digs as she collected 32. Lafasciano also collected double digit digs with 16.
- UCCS led Michigan Tech in kills (62-60), assists (49-46), aces (6-2), blocks (12-11), and hitting percentage (.225-.127).
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Albers tallied new career highs in both assists and digs with her 23 and seven, respectively.
- Marcoso also tallied a new career high in digs with her 32, surpassing her previous best of 21 from earlier this year.
- UCCS has now held all five of their opponents to under a .300 hitting percentage to start the season.
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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.
