RAPID CITY, Colo. – The Regis University Volleyball team defeated New Mexico Highlands University in five sets in RMAC Power Play 3-2 (25-23, 24-26, 25-15, 12-25, 15-12), hosted by South Dakota Mines on Friday night. The Rangers improve to 3-20 (1-9 RMAC), while the Cowgirls drop to 3-19 (1-9 RMAC). The match did not affect RMAC records.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Kailyn Polzin opened the match with a kill and a Morgan Munro-assisted block. The Rangers spread out their attack early as the squads traded points, getting kills from Polzin, Munro, Kendal Allaire, and Sabrina Landman. Jacie Kaniho and Alayana Pruitt contributed to the offense, but RU trialed by six before Landman started a late run that included a service ace by Cady Knight. Polzin's ace brought the match within one, and Landman ended the opener, 25-23.
The Cowgirls jumped out to a lead in the second, but Annelise Miller and Krissy Brei contributed kills to help steady the offense. Polzin added another ace, starting another streak that ended with Maddie Lynett's ace, and the set back within one. Regis benefitted from a variety of NMHU errors, and Lynett was able to tie the set at 20-20. Polzin got the Rangers to set points, but Highlands battled back for the 26-24 win.
Regis got a pair of blocks to start the third, assisted by Munro and Miller, an Allaire and Landman, as well as an ace from Knight. Pruitt's kill and Brei's ace helped keep RU in control, while Kaniho added two kills of her own. Polzin and Allaire combined for one more late block and the 25-15 set win.
Landman and Kaniho had early kills in the fourth, but the Cowgirls took the momentum. Miller and Pruitt tried to chip away at the lead, but Highlands ran away with it, winning the fourth, 25-12.
Brei got the Rangers on the board first in the deciding set with an ace. Landman and Munro were able to give RU the lead, and Polzin pushed the advantage to 12-7. Allaire and Pruitt put down a block, and Munro ended the set, 15-12.
GAME NOTES
· Landman led the Rangers with 11 kills
· Polzin added nine with 10 digs
· Knight led the team with 28 digs
· Polzin and Knight both aced three serves
· Lynett dished 24 assists
· Allaire had 2.0 total blocks
UP NEXT
The Rangers close out the regular season with three home games next week, starting with Chadron State (Neb.) on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 5 pm.
