GOLDEN, Colo. – The Regis University volleyball team was strong through the second day of opening weekend action. The Rangers swept Eastern New Mexico in the first match and defeated in-region opponent Texas Woman's 3-1 in the second.
 
How It Happened | Match 1: Both teams went back and forth at the start of the match as the Rangers pulled away 8-3, but Eastern New Mexico responded tying things up at 9-9. RU's offense, hitting at a .481 clip, was too strong for the Greyhounds as they took the first set 25-18.
 
A seven-point rally in the second set gave Regis enough separation from Eastern New Mexico. The Greyhounds could never fully recover as the Rangers went ahead 2-0 in the match with the 25-16 win.
 
RU sealed their second-straight sweep defeating Eastern New Mexico 25-20 in the third set. A collective team effort in the win favored the Rangers through several statistical categories.
 
Match Notes: Six players tallied at least one kill led by Nikki Kennedy and Caitlyn Martinez with eight a piece. Kennedy, most efficient, committed just one error in 15 attempts to produce a .467 attack percentage. Martinez followed closely behind with a .412 attack percentage. Kelsey Green and Caitlyn Burroway added seven and six kills, respectively. A huge defensive effort from Kristen Hornung as she recorded a career-high nine blocks helping RU to a 12-3 difference at the net. The Greyhounds were held to a .088 overall team attack percentage.
 
How It Happened | Match 2: The Rangers jumped out to an early 2-0 match lead defeating the Pioneers 25-20 and 25-23. Texas Woman's refused to go down in straight sets without a fight.
 
The third set was a back-and-forth affair with neither team scoring more than two points at a time. The Pioneers gained some separation from the Rangers leading 21-17 but four-straight from Regis locked the score at 21-21. TWU closed out the third set, 25-23, to extend the match.
 
The Rangers jumped to an early 4-0 lead in the fourth set never to relinquish control of the lead. Five-straight points late in the set for RU sealed the victory 25-18.
 
Match Notes: Green led offensively with 16 kills and a .289 attack percentage while adding two blocks and seven digs on the defensive side. Martinez recorded a .300 attack percentage putting down nine kills. In addition to her eight kills, Kennedy posted seven blocks. Kristina Schell and Caitlyn Burroway tallied 11 kills apiece. The Rangers had nine service aces led by Schell, who matched her career-high, with four and Drew Rhamy chipping in with three. RU has yet to allow an opponent with an attack percentage higher than .167.
 
Next Up For The Rangers: Regis will head into another challenging set of matches next weekend 4-0. The Rangers, co-hosts with MSU Denver, will play in the Colorado Premier Challenge. RU will face Tarleton State, the opponent that defeated them last season in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Friday, September 8 at 2:30 p.m. in the Regis Fieldhouse.