Regis (CO) Regis 17-5,9-1 RMAC

UC-Colo. Springs UCCS 7-15,5-5 RMAC

Regis (CO) Regis

17-5,9-1 RMAC

Final

Oct. 31, 2023

UC-Colo. Springs UCCS

7-15,5-5 RMAC

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	F
Regis (CO) Regis	25	25	25	(3)
UC-Colo. Springs UCCS	19	18	21	(0)

Summary
Box Score

Billy Saunders, Regis Athletics

Regis graduate student Haley Kennedy (#12) moved into third all-time in career digs with 21 on Tuesday (File Photo).

Game Recap: Volleyball | Oct 31 | David Wilson, Assistant AD-Communications

Kennedy climbs the all-time digs leaderboard, No. 12 Rangers sweep UCCS in return to RMAC action

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The No. 12 ranked Regis University volleyball team played its first of three matches scheduled for the week, returning to RMAC conference play on Tuesday and earning a 25-19, 25-18 and 25-21 road sweep of the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.

With the victory, the Rangers (17-5 overall, 9-1 RMAC) moved a half-game ahead of No. 8 ranked MSU Denver (16-5 overall, 8-1 RMAC) for first place in the RMAC standings, while the loss drops UCCS (7-15 overall, 5-5 RMAC) back to .500 in the conference.

"It was a little odd with an early week night match and it took us a little bit to get started. But we talked about needing this kind of test because it's the exact same schedule for the RMAC Tournament," said Regis head coach, Joel List. "I thought the team played well, we were challenged, and were able to make changes as the match progressed."

HOW IT HAPPENED
Regis was able to overcome a slow start in an opening set where it trailed 12-7 early on and was limited to an uncharacteristic .154 hitting percentage.

Facing a 16-11 deficit, the Rangers were able to rattle off an 8-0 scoring run behind the serve of sophomore outside hitter Isabella Smith to recapture a 19-16 lead en route to the 25-19 final.

The offense was then able to find its traction in the second set, with the Rangers hitting a match-best .519 and producing 18 kills versus just four errors in the 25-18 victory.

Senior outside hitter Halle Theis tallied four kills through the opening six Regis points, while graduate student middle blocker Nadine Burbrink and junior outside hitter Hannah Kepler added five kills and three kills, respectively, in Set Two.

Burbrink, Kepler and graduate student right-side hitter Klaudia Sowizral all notched 10 kills apiece, and Theis added nine kills on a .318 hitting percentage, to lead a balanced Regis attack.

"The distribution on offense really came out of necessity tonight. We had a couple players struggling early, but I thought Mara did a great job distributing the ball and sprinkling in players who were on fire at the moment and players we needed to get going," List said.

Regis setter Mara LeGrand ending the evening with 39 assists (13.0 assists per set) as well as four kills of her own at the helm of the Rangers' offense that hit .290 as a team in the sweep.

CAREER MILESTONE
In addition to the victory, the Rangers were also able to celebrate the career milestone for graduate student libero Haley Kennedy, who popped up a match-high 21 digs to lead the defensive effort.

Tuesday's performance moved Kennedy into third place all-time in program history with 1,697 digs; passing her former teammate, Caitlyn Burroway (2017-2021).

"It says a lot about the type of player she is and it's special for me to see because we try to be a team that prides itself a lot on defense. To have someone achieve a milestone like that, with all the great players and great teams we've had in the history of our program, means a lot," List said. "It's not easy breaking records or reaching career milestones in our program. So to have someone on the team right now have that type of career is amazing. We celebrated her after the game and the whole team was cheering and hollering in support of her."

GAME NOTES

Regis finished with a 5-1 advantage in service aces, led by Kennedy and freshman Giselle Cazares with two apiece.
The Rangers also held a 6-3 edge in blocks Tuesday, led by Burbrink with four, while holding the UCCS offense to a .172 hitting percentage.

UP NEXT
Regis continues its unique week with a road trip to face Colorado School of Mines on Friday (7 p.m.) before returning home the following afternoon for a pivotal Senior Day matchup against No. 8 MSU Denver in a match that could go a long way in deciding the 2023 RMAC regular season championship.

"We talked as a team tonight that all the teams we face from here on out are playing for something. Whether that be for regional ranking position or to get into the conference tournament," List said. "Everyone has an extra reason to play. I thought UCCS showed that tonight and we know Mines is going to be the same way on Friday. And then we all know the importance of Saturday's match against MSU Denver. We're looking forward to the challenge. It's good for us this time of year."

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