SPEARFISH, S.D. – The No. 12 ranked Regis University volleyball team improved to 15-1 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play Friday, winning on the road against Black Hills State University. The four-set victory came with just two weekends left in the 2017 regular season schedule, and moved the Rangers to a 23-3 overall mark. BHSU dropped to 10-14 (7-8 RMAC).  

How It Happened: Regis jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the opening set, using a balanced attack to get the night going. A pair of RU service aces also benefited the road Rangers, who held onto their advantage for the entirety of the set. Though the Yellow Jackets battled back to pull to within two at 19-17, Regis turned up the heat to finish the set on a 6-2 run. A monster block by Kelsey Green and Nikki Kennedy placed an exclamation point on the Rangers' opening-game 25-19 performance.
 
Untimely – and uncharacteristic – errors in the second, however, set the Rangers back. Midway through the showing, BHSU ran away with the momentum – capitalizing on RU miscues on the way to a 25-19 victory that would neutralize the advantage in the match.
 
Fortunately, Regis' hitters were back on track in the third, executing at a .344 clip to steal the night's momentum right back. Once again, the visiting squad jumped out of the gates – opening the set with a 7-1 run thanks to efficient serving from Silvia Basso and a potent effort at the net from middle Kristen Hornung. Much like in the first, the Jackets scrapped enough to make a game of it but proved unable to overcome the early deficit. RU won 25-19.
 
With the finish line nearing, both squads upped their games. The battle was real in the fourth as the teams traded blows – but it was the visiting Rangers who had their best for last. In their most lethal showing of the night, Regis tallied 18 kills and just two errors – a pace the home Jackets could not keep up with. A 25-23 RU victory drew the curtain on the night.
 
Match Notes: It was a big night for Regis middles Kennedy and Hornung – the two combined for 28 kills and ten blocks. From the pin, Green and Caitlyn Burroway provided heavy artillery as well. Both outsides also notched double-digit digs – accounting for 31 of Regis' 76.
 
Next Up For The Rangers: One more road match remains on the regular season schedule for the Rangers – they'll face South Dakota Mines Saturday before returning home for their RMAC finale on the 11^th. Saturday's match is scheduled for 6 pm.