The Chadron State College volleyball team lost in three sets (23-25, 17-25, 21-25) against UCCS on Friday night in Colorado Springs. CSC’s record is now 7-15 overall, and 5-8 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
The first set opened with both teams trading blows, with neither team being able to gain an advantage. CSC’s largest lead throughout the first set was one point. UCCS’ largest lead was three. There were 17 total ties in the first set. The Mountain Lions were able to gain a little separation from the Eagles by going on a 4-1 run sparked by a kill from Hannah Ammerman. With UCCS up 22-19, the Eagles fought back thanks to Bella Adams, Breshawana Kelly, and Mayson Fago to cut the lead down to one, at 23-24. A kill from UCCS’ Reilly Babcock put the 25th point on the board for UCCS to take the first set.
The second set picked up right where the first set left off with neither team capturing the momentum and multiple ties and lead changes ensuing. After a 10-10 Fago kill, UCCS was able to go on a 6-0 run. The Eagles responded with a 4-1 run to get back into the set. The Mountain Lions were able to flip the momentum and went on a 6-2 run to put the set out of reach of the Eagles. CSC was able scrape across another point before UCCS’ Nicole Medlin sent the game to the third set.
The Eagles started off hot in the third set, jumping out to a 7-3 lead, with the help of Lexi Hurtado, and Fago. The Mountain Lions were able to crawl their way back into the set after a 4-1 run to cut the lead to one. The Eagles responded with a 3-2 run but could not put the Mountain Lions away for good. UCCS was able to tie the set at 15 all off a kill from Ammerman. The Eagles were able to regain the lead at 17-16 from an attack error from UCCS. The Eagles extended their lead to three before UCCS fought back and took the lead 21-20. UCCS did not look back as they scored four of the next five points to take the match.
The Eagles had an exceptionally good hitting percentage tonight hitting .269 with a total of 35 kills. The offense was led by Fago with 13 kills. Hurtado and Adams both added five. Fago also led the Eagles in hitting percentage, hitting .370 on the night.
Defensively, CSC totaled nine blocks, with Adams, and Fago leading the way with three, and two, respectively. Kelly added two.
Abby Schaefer led the team in digs with 18. Hurtado had 13. The team totaled 51 digs.
The Eagles will travel to Pueblo to take on CSU-Pueblo on Saturday night, October 22, at 7 p.m.