LAS VEGAS, N.M. – In the first match of a four-game road stint, the Regis University volleyball team battled to defeat the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls in a four-set victory.

Throughout the first set, the score would tie several different times before the Rangers were able to slightly pull away to a 20-16 lead. A service ace by Katie Klein followed by a kill from Rachael McCue ended the first set 25-18 giving Regis a 1-0 overall match lead.

RU started the second set off slower than ideal as the Cowgirls jumped out to a 4-1 lead. The Rangers made quick work of the initial deficit battling to regain control, 6-4. Highlands continued to hang around keeping Regis within distance. RU forced the Cowgirls to a timeout at 18-11 just before the home team began to rally. Another Highlands timeout at 21-17 was taken in an attempt to slow down a dominate Regis offense and it proved successful as Highlands was able to take the last five straight points. The Cowgirls evened the match at 1-1 with the 25-23 second set win.

Back at it in the third set, the Rangers wasted no time jumping to a 10-5 lead. Consistently keeping Highlands at a respectable distance throughout the length of the set until the Cowgirls rallied at the end to to come within two, 24-22. RU was able to hold off the home team's final push to take a 2-1 overall lead.

The Rangers maintained control in the fourth and final set battling off yet another late-set Highlands run. The Cowgirls scored nine straight points forcing an RU timeout at an all too familiar 23-22. A McCue kill and a Highland attack error quickly put an end to the set 25-22 as Regis was able to sneak away with a tough road win. 

RU held the opponents to an overall attack percentage of .108 providing more of a net presence with 13 blocks. Cedar Bellows led both teams with five blocks, one solo and four assisted. Rebecca Sponcil chipped in on the defensive side with another match-high 26 digs. Kristina Schell also added double-digit digs with 12. 

Leading all scorers on the night offensively was Klein with 18 kills and a .349 attack percentage. McCue and Bellows each added nine kills to help Regis take a 56-43 advantage in the kill column. Regis recorded a season-high of ten service aces on the night; Klein, Bellows, and Alessandra Orlandini all tallied three.

The Rangers move to an overall record of 12-9 and 9-3 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. RU continues on the road to Western New Mexico Saturday, October 24 at 6:00 p.m.