Denver, Colo.: A highly competitive first day of the NCAA South Central Region ended with a bang between cross-town rival Regis and Metro State.  The crowd of over 1,000 was treated to a five-set doozy that ended with the Rangers advancing with the 3-2 win.

The first set was a close one early with neither team leading by more than two points.  With the score tied at 12, Metro State (18-11) went on a 6-2 run to take an 18-14 lead and also led 21-16 before Regis (26-8) went on a little run of their own.  

They closed the gap to 21-19 before the Roadrunners went up 24-20 with another mini run by Regis narrowing the difference to 24-23 before a kill by Deleah Whitaker put away set one.

Regis came back with a vengenance in set two and led wire-to-wire for a 25-15 win.  Set three started out close with Regis leading just 6-5 before the wheels fell off for the Roadrunners.     Metro State had a different look in their eye and had all aspects of their game working.  They were able to dig out some of the Rangers best attacks and took the 10-10 tie and turned it into a 25-21 win.

For the second straight time the two teams would go to five sets and for the third time this season the Rangers earned a victory over the Roadrunners.  Regis took the lead for good at 4-3 and eventually sent home the Roadrunners with a 15-10 win.

It marks the first time since 1999 that Regis has had an undefeated record against Metro State and even more amazing it has been 22 years since Regis has defeated Metro three times in a season.

Regis will advance to play Angelo State on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Four Rangers were in double figures in kills led by freshman Katie Klein's 17.  Fellow freshman phenom Caitie Breaux chipped in with 13 kills and was efficient with just one error, while leading the team with four total blocks including one solo.

Senior Caitlin McDonnell came off the bench to supply 12 balls down for points, while sophomore Gina Morgan had 11.  Freshman Jaclyn Williamson assisted on 56 kills and notched another double-double with 14 digs.  Junior Sage Martinson led all Rangers with 22 digs, while senior Makayla Higgins showed her experience with 19 digs.

The win and advancement to the second round is the first time the Rangers have advanced past the first round since the 2000 team, also beating Metro, went to the second round.