DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University Volleyball team returned to the win column with a 3-2 win (22-25, 29-27, 25-2115-25, 15-11) over New Mexico Highlands University in the Regis Fieldhouse on Friday night. The Rangers improve to 2-14 (1-4 RMAC), while the Cowgirls drop to 2-13 (0-5 RMAC). .
HOW IT HAPPENED
Kendal Allaire and Kailyn Polzin supplied early kills for the Rangers offense, but NMHU would take the lead. A Morgan Munro-Callie Parker block started a run, and after they both added a kill, Aaliyah Rodrakkwan aced a serve to tie the set at 14-14. The teams traded points, but late the Cowgirls took a three-point lead. Sabrina Landman had a kill, but Highlands won, 25-22.
Alayna Pruitt posted three kills to help RU build a 7-1 advantage. However, NMHU battled back with a big run, interrupted only by a Polzin kill, bringing the score to 14-14. Allaire and Pruitt assisted a block, while Landman recorded three straight points form two kills and a Ciara Williams assisted block. Jacie Kaniho helped push the lead to 22-16. But the teams would still find themselves tied at 25-25. With the Cowgirls on match point, Landman put down a solo block, while Williams recorded a kill, and the two assisted the set winning block, 29-27.
The teams traded points to start the third, before a quick Regis run, highlighted by back-to-back Pruitt kills, gave them a 12-9 lead. Landman continued to pace the Rangers offense, and Allaire added a kill and solo block back-to-back, followed by a Nicole Shaver ace. Pruitt put down the final two kills, giving the Rangers a 25-21 win.
The Cowgirls took the momentum in the fourth frame, 11-6 despite offensive efforts from Polzin, Landman, and Pruitt. Highlands continued their run in the fourth, as Kaniho had a late kill, but NMHU won, 25-15.
In the deciding fifth set, Regis sprinted out to a 7-0 lead behind two kills from Pruitt, another from Shaver, and an Allaire-Landman block. Landman and continued the momentum, but Highlands was able to bring it within three before a service ace ended the match, 15-11 for the Rangers.
GAME NOTES
· Pruitt posted a match-high 15 kills, hitting .211
· Polzin and Landman added 13 apiece
· Maddie Lynett posted a double-double with 19 assists and 11 digs
· Shaver led the Rangers with 25 assists
· Cady Knight led all players with 29 digs, and Krissy Brei reached double digits with 12
· Marissa Sandoval-Moya led the Cowgirls with 26 assists and 14 digs
UP NEXT
The Rangers close out the weekend with a home match against Adams State University on Saturday at 3 pm.
