DENVER, Colo. – The brightest shine usually comes from the most work, struggle and pressure. That's true in life, and it was true for the Regis University Volleyball team at the South Central Regional Championship Saturday night in Denver. After nearly two hours of grueling battle, the Rangers walked out of the gym owners of another crown, holders of another ticket, and achievers of some big-time goals. RU prevailed in four sets over in-region opponent West Texas A&M, scrapping their way to a trip to the NCAA Volleyball round of eight and adding another trophy to a growing 2017 collection.
 
The win was an especially satisfying one for Regis Head Volleyball Coach Joel List, who assisted on Regis' 2012 squad that lost the Regional tournament on their home court.
 
"Tonight felt like finished business. We came with a goal. That loss (in 2012) motivated me to get to this point. Now we have some new motivation"
 
How It Happened: Heading into the match, Regis knew they would have a task on their hands. Their Lady Buff opponents flashed an impressively scrappy style of play throughout the year and that meant the Rangers would have to play with patience and composure.
 
The evening got off to a slow start for the home team, with West Texas jumping out to an early 5-0 lead. Fortunately, RU eventually found their rhythm and used it to chip away at the Lady Buff advantage. Five-straight Caitlyn Burroway serves midway through the set earned Regis a 13-12 lead that sent the squads to the sideline for a WT timeout.
 
A fiercely-contested battle ensued for the next several points, until junior Kristen Hornung set the gym ablaze with a pair of crushing kills to put the Rangers up 21-18. The junior middle got another just a few points later to set the fate for the first game. RU won 25-20.
 
With redshirt-junior Drew Rhamy leading the way from the service line, Regis extended a 4-4 second-set score to 10-4. By then the Rangers defense had found its groove – junior libero Kristina Schell picked up dig after monster dig to lengthen rallies and frustrate WT hitters. RU benefited from Schell and Rhamy's stand-out back row play to build on their early lead.
 
Still, despite a handful of mid-game errors and some dominant Regis play, West Texas hung around. Using an impressive sideout game, the Buffs slowly clawed back into the set. The squads traded points until WT eventually found separation, going up 19-17 and then 21-18. Uncharacteristic Ranger errors at the net propelled WT to a match-neutralizing 25-19 win.
 
"West Texas works hard - they make plays and they don't give up," commented List on the night's opponent. "They slowed the game down when they needed to. They creep back in when you don't see it coming, and their outsides made some good adjustments. That's a sign of good coaching and good talent."
 
Fortunately, some good talent and coaching was happening on the RU side of the net as well. Regis would go on to take the next two sets (25-22, 25-14) – cruising behind a pace-setting Hornung assault that earned the home team point after point after critically-timed point. Big Hornung kills and some timely blocks in the third electrified the Rangers and hinted to the way things would go in the fourth.
 
Hornung dominated in the finale, attacking the Lady Buffs on what felt like every Ranger possession. The Overland Park, Kan. native used blocks and kills to earn four-straight late-match points – rattling WT so much that the Buffs turned all of their attention to the middle. The result was a wide-open net for senior Caitlyn Martinez with RU just two points away from the win. Martinez crushed a perfect ball from setter Sylvia Basso and the Rangers were on their way. Mere moments separated Regis from a home-court celebration with some die-hard Ranger fans.
 
"That's such a high," Hornung reflected after the victory. "That moment was so awesome."
 
Of course, Hornung and Martinez do not make anything happen at the net without some magic from the back row. As they had in the first, RU's defenders behind the attack line provided a foundation Regis would build a Regional Championship on. Schell, Rhamy and Burroway lit the court on fire, making defense look easy and keeping the Rangers alive against WT's toughest attacks. The three combined for 52 of RU's 82 digs, and anchored a passing line that help the offense thrive.
 
"We are constantly supporting each other," remarked Rhamy after tallying a season-high 19 digs. "We trust each other. Every time I had a dig tonight Kristina (Schell) was behind me supporting me."
 
Match Notes: For the second-straight night setter Silvia Basso played dialed-in, leading her squad offensively by getting the ball into the night's hottest hands. Basso wrapped the night with 55 assists, helping the Rangers better WT's production by 22 kills. For her efforts on the weekend, Basso was named to the All-Tournament team. Joining her on the elite list of All-Tournament players were Kelsey Green, Nikki Kennedy, Burroway and Hornung.
 
Hornung's night marked the best of her career – at the most perfect time. The junior led all hitters with 19 kills without a single error on 30 tries (.633). Four Regis hitters – Hornung, Martinez, Burroway and Kennedy – turned in double-kill efforts.
 
Hornung reflected on the team's success after the match, crediting their preparation to her coach.
 
"One of Joel's biggest strengths as a coach is that he builds so much confidence in each of us. We all know when we go out there that we're prepared and ready – he believes in us – he believes we can do anything."
 
Next Up For The Rangers: The final eight teams in the nation will travel to Pensacola, Fl. at the end of the week to compete in the 2017 NCAA National Tournament at University of West Florida. Quarterfinal play begins on Thursday, with semifinals slated for Friday and Saturday's championship match on the schedule for 6:00 pm EST. (Bracket)
 
"Tonight's atmosphere was incredible," List concluded. "I want to thank the University for supporting us in so many ways. I'm looking forward to representing Regis University, the RMAC and the South Central Region [in the next round]."