DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University Volleyball team defeated Black Hills State University in a tough fought, five setter on Saturday evening, 3-2 (25-18, 18-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-4). The Rangers improve to 2-18 (2-8 RMAC) on the season, while the Yellow Jackets fall to 6-14 (2-8 RMAC).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Black Hills would take the first lead of the match, going up 10-6 before a kill by Braiziah Dixon sparked 12-1 run. Sabrina Landman aced four serves in the run, Dixon aced two more, and Isabella Smith added three kills. Bailey Nichols added to the ace barrage with back-to-back aces, and Brooke Sanford ended the set with a kill, 25-18.
Regis started the second with a pair of block assists, one by Smith and Dixon, and the other by Nichols and Kendal Allaire. Sanford and Landman put down kills to give RU the advantage, but BHSU battled back with a 6-1 run. Errors by the Yellow Jackets, and kills from Smith and Dixon kept the match within a few points. However, Black Hills erupted late for a nine 9-1 run and the 25-18 win.
Lauryn Uyemura started the third set with a service ace, and Alayna Pruitt's kill started an early run that included two Smith aces, a Landman kill, and a Pruitt-Allaire block. BHSU responded with a 4-0 run to close the gap. Dixon and Nichols assisted a block, followed quickly by a solo block for Landman. But that is when the Yellow Jackets took control again, going up 18-15. Smith and Landman had late kills, but Black Hills won, 25-20.
RU jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the fourth, behind kills form Smith and Allaire, and after the Yellow Jackets took the advantage, Pruitt started yet another run. Aaliyah Rodrakkwan contributed a service ace, and Nichols added a save. After trading points, Regis led 18-11, but BHSU quickly brought it back within two. Sanford scored on back-to-back points with a kill and Pruitt-assisted block, and Dixon brought it home with a kill.
The fifth set was all Rangers, including a Smith ace, Landman kill, and Pruitt-Sanford block. Dixon put down a kill, then three straight blocks with Nichols and Landman. Landman then put on the final touch with a game-winning ace.
"We are continuing to get better," said head coach Joel List, "especially our fight late in sets. It's a great thing to see and the players love the competition."
GAME NOTES
· The Rangers set a program record with aces in a five-set match with 15. It is tied for the second-highest total in any match
· Landman had 12 kills in the match, while Dixon and Smith each had 11
· Nichols dished 32 assists
· Krissy Brei (19), Smith (18), and Nichols (15) all reached double-digit digs
· Dixon posted seven blocks, and the team had 25
UP NEXT
The Rangers return to action on Thursday, October 30, hosting the RMAC Power Pod Triangle with Colorado Christian and CSU-Pueblo.
