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Friday night marked the start of the final home stand for the Mavericks (13-9, 7-7 RMAC) as they hosted the Western State Colorado University Mountaineers (3-19, 2-12 RMAC).

“We have just got to out work them.” Coach Fleming said, heading into the match against Western State.

The Mavs did not out work the Mountaineers, and lost in five sets (25-17, 25-23, 25-22, 25-16, 15-12)

The first set stayed tight till about halfway, with the Mountaineers scoring the first point of the night. While it took the Mavs a few minutes to get going, they found their rhythm. Led by Abby Ney who had four kills, Haleigh Higgins put up three kills, with Kelly Regimbal, Rachael Beaty, Christian Otzen and Audrey Steinkirchner all contributing to the point total in the first set.

The second set saw the Mavericks strike first off of a Jordyn Moody serve. Western played more physical and had a stronger presence at the net in the second set. The aggressive style of play up front for the Mountaineers proved to help, as the Mountaineers took their biggest lead of the night and the first in to the twenties. A visibly upset Coach Fleming used a pair of time outs and got his team set straight. Towards the end of the set, as it looked like Western had the set won a pair of huge kills from Christian Otzen and Kelly Regimbal put the Mavericks back in the game. Unfortunately in the end the Mountaineers were able to outlast the Mavs to take the set 25-23, evening the match heading into the break. It was Otzen who led with kills in the second set with eight. Jordyn Moody had 17 assists while Megan Rush pulled out 10 digs in the loss.

The third set got off with another strong Mountaineers start, leaving the Mavericks to play from behind. Christian Otzen continued her stellar night with 12 kills in the third set, while Kelly Regimbal had 10. Jordyn Moody recorded 26 assists. The third set for the Mavericks went about as good as it did for the fan that spilled his popcorn on the court halfway through the set causing a stoppage in play. Again it would be the Mountaineers to reach 20 first on the scoreboard. The third set came down to the end once again, but it was the Mountaineers playing some of their best volleyball of the year beating the Mavericks 25-22 for a 2-1 set advantage.  

Playing to stay in the match the Mavericks had their best start on the night going up posting an early 7-2 lead, forcing the Mountaineers to call a timeout early in the match.  The Mavericks played the best they had all night throughout the fourth set. Fired up by two big service aces from the hand of Kelly Regimbal the Mavericks held a 10 point lead over the Mountaineers. The Mavericks would take the set 25-16 to tie the match at 2-2 when a Western State player came under the net and making contact with Higgins. Higgins went down with an ankle injury on the play and did not return.

In the fifth set, the Mavericks would fall to the Mountaineers 15-12. “Every team in the RMAC is a good team. We just have to get ready for Adams State now.” Coach Fleming said.

The Mavericks host Adams State (18-4, 11-3 RMAC) Saturday night. The Grizzlies swept Fort Lewis College earlier this evening. Saturday's “Senior Day” match is slated to start at 4 pm.