LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Regis University Volleyball team battled crosstown rival Colorado Christian University on Saturday afternoon, but lost to the Cougars, 2-3 (21-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-20, 6-15). The Rangers fall to 0-10 (0-2 RMAC) on the season, while CCU improves to 7-3 (2-0 RMAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED

Isabella Smith and Sabrina Landman had the first kills f the match for Regis, but after one from Jacie Kaniho, CCU ran five straight for a 13-7 lead. Bailey Nichols set up Aaliyah Rodrakkwan and Smith for kills to end the run, then aced a serve to help close the gap. Landman, Kaniho, and Smith all continued to lead the offense late, but the Cougars prevailed 25-21.

An early Nichols ace and Braiziah Dixon kill helped the Rangers offense in the second, while Brooke Sanford but RU up, 7-5. After falling behind, Sanford sparked a run that included two Landman aces, a Smith kill, and a Sanford-Nichols block. CC battled back with three straight points, but Sanford tied the set at 19-19. The Cougars took the advantage, and even a kill and solo block from Dixon, followed by a Smith kill, weren't enough, and RU lost the second, 25-23.

Nichols led the Rangers to start the third set, outing down a kill assisted by Krissy Brei, acing a serve, and setting up Smith's kill. However, Colorado Christian still tied the set at 7-7 following a quick run. Dixon helped respond with three straight for Regis, and CCU errors pushed the RU lead to 16-11. Kaniho and Smith traded turns earning late kills for a 21-19 advantage, with Brei's aces and Smith's kill sealing the 25-19 win.

Regis took that momentum into the fourth, with another Nichols ace, a Dixon-Landman block, and two Landman kills. Nichols assisted three straight kills to bring the score to 11-7. While CCU chipped away at the lead, Dixon and Kaniho's kills helped keep the Rangers in control. Smith had a strong stretch with two kills and a Sanford-assisted block, while Kaniho and Landman's kills pushed the match to a decisive fifth set.

While Brei aced a serve early in the fifth, CCU took a commanding 7-3 lead. Smith ended the early run with a kill, but CCU easily too the set, 15-6

GAME NOTES

·        Nichols dished 50 assists, with nine digs and four assists

·        Smith put down 21 kills on .296 hitting, with 14 digs for the double-double

·        Brei led the Rangers with 15 digs

·        Kaniho added 12 kills

UP NEXT

The Rangers return to action on Friday, September 26, hosting Western Colorado at 7 pm.