The Mountain Lions were unable to build on their recent run of strong gameplay in the RMAC conference last Friday, as Fort Lewis College defeated them in the RMAC power pod 3-1.
The game was hosted by South Dakota School of Mines and began after a three-hour scheduling delay. Both teams started the first set off in an intense competition that remained close. However, an 8-1 run by the Skyhawks allowed them to escape advances from the Mountain Lions. The Skyhawks took the opening set 25-16.
The second set was as tight as the first as both teams fought for extra points. Graduate student outside hitter Lauryn Shockley stole the first point for the Mountain Lions with a kill. This strong start helped UCCS maintain a 12-9 lead and forced Fort Lewis to take a time-out.
However, this seemed to reenergize the Skyhawks as they managed to overtake the Mountain Lions and go on an 8-0 rampage. Nevertheless, the Mountain Lions worked their way back up. Two aces by freshman outside hitter Sydnee Walker helped UCCS, but Fort Lewis maintained their set lead.
Another kill by Shockley placed the score at 25-24 before a kill and two blocks by Fort Lewis allowed them to snatch the second set 27-25.
Despite conceding the first two sets, UCCS remained resilient and climbed their way to victory in the third set. This was highlighted by consecutive kills by Shockley and junior outside hitter Isabel Hudspeth.
For every point accumulated by Fort Lewis, the Mountain Lions generated an equal response. This pressure placed on the Skyhawks led them to commit three errors and tie the set 23-23. Another kill by Hudspeth and an attacking error by Fort Lewis allowed the Mountain Lions to grab the third set 25-23.
However, UCCS’ hope was quickly extinguished in the final set as the Mountain Lions only managed to win five kills throughout the whole set. The Skyhawks finished the set 25-12, more than doubling the point difference.
This loss against Fort Lewis in the RMAC power pod follows the Mountain Lion’s recent win against them in a 3-2 score last Saturday in the RMAC conference.
Despite the defeat, UCCS still leads the all-time series between both teams 29-25. However, the Mountain Lions sit at 0-7 all-time when facing FLC at a neutral site.
Senior middle blocker Nicole Medlin and Shockley led the Mountain Lions with ten kills each whilst Alexis Hobie stacked a staggering 19 kills for the Fort Lewis Skyhawks.
The Mountain Lions went on to play Regis University at home on Halloween. Regis won the game 3-0.
UCCS will play Metropolitan State University on Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. at the MSUD Auraria Event Center.
#6 outside hitter Sydnee Walker. Photo by Lillian Davis.