Denver, Colo.: The Regis volleyball team defended their home court in their first home game of the season and in preparation for the Premier Challenge this weekend defeated Johnson & Wales in straight sets.

Regis (2-3) won the first set 25-12 and after leading just 5-4 scored the next five points and 14 of the next 15 points to take a commanding 17-6 lead on their way to victory.  Set two was a little tighter with Regis winning 25-19.  The Rangers led just 10-9 when Caitlin McDonnell served the next six points to push the home team to a 17-9 lead on their way to the victory.

Regis had runs of 5-0, 8-0 and 4-0 to easily take the third set 25-12.  Regis led 24-9 and looked to hold JWU to under 10 before the Wildcats (2-4) scored three in a row but freshman Kelsi Wildermuth put the game away with a kill.

Regis hit .272 compared to .034 for Johnson & Wales.  Nine players had at least two kills for the Rangers led by senior Makayla's eight kills.  Freshmna Katie Klein chipped in with six kills in just two sets.  Freshmen Jaclyn Williamson and Rebecca Sponcil quarterbacked the Ranger offense with 15 and 14 assists respectively.

The Rangers pounded out 12 sevice aces including three by sophomore Maya Kirkeby.  Kirkeby also led the Rangers with eight digs with junior Sage Martinson just one behind.  Klein was one behind Martinson with six.  Higgins had a good night with three blocks and five digs.

Regis return to action at 3:30 on Friday as they take on Angelo State in the ultra-competitive Colorado Premier Challenge before the Rangers take on 2011 national runner-up CSU-San Bernardino.