Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 DENVER, Colo. – In the 20^th Annual Colorado Premier Challenge, the Regis University Rangers opened day one of action with a split. The Rangers defeated the No. 21 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions 3-1 but fell to the defending NCAA Division II National Champions Wheeling Jesuit Cardinals 3-1.
 
Match 1 – Regis 1 Arkansas-Fort Smith 1
 
The Rangers completely dominated all statistical categories outhitting the Lions 62-39. The 23-kill difference had RU hitting at a .239 to Arkansas-Fort Smith's .096. Freshman outside hitter produced a career-high 18 kills. Green hit at a clip of .214 and also added two blocks.
 
Regis took a 1-0 match lead with the 25-21 first set win. The Lions were able to match that in the second set equalizing the playing field at 1-1 with the 25-21 win. The Rangers stunned UAFS at the start of third taking an 11-3 lead. RU held steady throughout the remaining points of the set to take a 2-1 lead with the 25-16 win.
 
The early points of the fourth set went back-and-forth until Regis was able to gain some separation from the Lions. The Rangers controlled their fate with a 15-8 lead. The Lions put together a small surge late in the set but RU held them at bay and finished out the win over the No. 21 ranked team 25-20.
 
Senior right side hitter Katie Klein added 11 kills hitting at a clip of .235. Senior Cedar Bellows and junior Caitlyn Martinez produced some impressive numbers hitting at a team-high of .500 and .435, respectively, combining for 11 kills.
 
Match 2 – Wheeling Jesuit 3 Regis 0
 
Regis struggled throughout their second match of the day to gain any offensive momentum. No. 2 ranked Wheeling Jesuit held the Rangers to a .165 attack percentage. RU clawed their way back in set one putting down four-straight points with set point on the line but came up short falling 25-21.
 
The Cardinals came out hot in the second set jumping out to an early lead that the Rangers could never fully recover. Four-straight points mid-set brought Regis within two points, 13-11, but Wheeling Jesuit was able to regain control. Another three-straight points with set point at stake brought RU closer but they could not hold off the power of the Cardinals.
 
Wheeling Jesuit jumped out to an early 8-0 lead in the third set immediately putting the Rangers on their heels. RU could not generate any sort of momentum dropping the last set 25-20.
 
Green led Regis again with nine kills and a .261 attack percentage. Klein chipped in with eight kills on 20 attempts. Sophomore libero Kristina Schell kept many plays alive with a team-leading 24 digs on the day. The presence at the net was once again led by freshman middle blocker Yagoda Jedrzejczak with five of the Rangers 18 blocks.
 
Regis is back in action Saturday, September 10 at 12 p.m. against Saint Leo. The match will be played at MSU Denver.