DENVER, Colo. – The No. 23 ranked Regis University volleyball team (9-5, 5-1 RMAC) needed only three sets to corral the New Mexico Highlands University Cowgirls (5-9, 3-3 RMAC) on Friday night, taking the sets 25-21, 25-16 and 25-11.
How It Happened: Regis was firing on all cylinders during this one, continuously improving their game from one set to the next. The first set was the closest one of the night as the Rangers edged the Cowgirls 25-21, narrowly outhitting NMHU .263 to .205 in the opening set.
The second set saw RU open up on offense, combining to hit .333 in the set, while also holding the visitors to a .028 attack percentage on 36 total attacks. The Regis defense was on fire, either blocking the attack attempts from getting to their side, or tracking down nearly every ball that was hit their way. The second set went to the Rangers 25-16.
Searching for a three-set sweep, the home sequestered the momentum they gained from the first two sets and unloaded in the third and final set of the night. RU pummeled the Cowgirls on offense and on defense. The team had 16 kills on only 27 attacks, committing just three attack errors in the third set. Defensively, Regis shut down any attack attempts that came their way, holding NMHU to a negative number in the attack column (.071 attack percentage).
Game Notes: Junior
Nikki Kennedy displayed her dominance with a 15 kill night, attacking at an astronomical .636 clip for the match. The middle blocker also tallied a game-high five blocks. Freshman
Rachel Siurek reached double-digit kills (10) for the second time this season. Sophomore
Caitlyn Burroway added nine kills while junior
Izzy Gosar unleashed for seven kills on 15 attempts (.467 attack percentage), committing zero errors, also digging out a season-high six balls defensively. Senior
Gabby Haugh led the way on defense, putting up a career-high 15 digs. Junior setter
Silvia Basso recorded 41 assists in only three sets of work for a 13.67 assists per set average. In total, the Rangers had an attack percentage of .347, 15 blocks, 51 digs and 47 kills.
Up Next for the Rangers: No. 23 ranked Regis will be back in action tomorrow night as they welcome the Colorado State University – Pueblo ThunderWolves to the Regis Fieldhouse for a 7 p.m. faceoff.
