Oct. 4, 2008

Box Score

The Metro State volleyball team held off Mesa State, 25-16, 25-23, 16-25, 17-25, 15-6, Friday night in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play in Grand Junction, Colo. The 'Runners move to 8-6 overall and 6-1 in the RMAC, while the Mavericks fall to 8-7 overall and 6-2 in the RMAC.

"It is not easy to go on the road and beat a good team," Head Coach Debbie Hendricks said. "We need to learn to put teams away when we have opportunities, but I am proud of the way this team responded in the fifth set."

Metro State used a balanced offensive attack, led by Bri Morley with 12 kills and Emily Greenhalgh and Lisa Jones with 11 kills apiece.

The 'Runners took advantage of 12 unforced errors from Mesa to take the first set, but the Mavericks settled down in the second. The teams traded points until 23-23, when a kill from Amanda Cook and a Mesa State hitting error gave the set to the 'Runners.

The Mavericks seemed to gain confidence from the set and cruised to victories in the third and fourth sets. Gabrielle Lovato was key to the Mavericks' turnaround as she served nine service aces in the two sets.

Metro State turned the momentum around in the fifth set. Two quick blocks and a service ace helped the 'Runners jump out to a 4-0 lead. The 'Runners continued to block well in the set, recording six of their 11 blocks in the fifth game. Morley put the match away with her 12th kill of the evening.

The 'Runners travel to Durango to face Fort Lewis, Saturday at 7 p.m. Both teams enter the match with just one loss in the RMAC.