LAKEWOOD, Colo.— The Colorado Mesa University volleyball team dropped their first of two weekend matches in suburban Denver falling in four sets at Colorado Christian University, Friday night at the CCU Fieldhouse.  The Mavericks, now 12-5 overall and 6-3 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play dropped a tight first set, 25-23 but rallied to win the second 25-20.
 
However, the Cougars claimed nine of the final 11 points of the third set to win 25-18 before dominating the fourth, 25-7.  They are now 11-7­ overall and a full two matches ahead of the Mavericks in the RMAC standings at 8-1.
 
The Cougars finished the night hitting .200 and held CMU to a season-low .058 as the Mavericks were guilty of 30 hitting errors, 11 of which came via Cougar blocks.
 
CCU's Sophia Proano led all players with 11 kills while junior outside hitter MacKenzie Edwards put down nine to lead the Mavericks in that category.
 
Maverick sophomore setter Samantha Ritter did finish with her sixth consecutive double-double, recording 29 assists and 15 digs.  Junior libero Taylor Woods registered a team-high 18 digs and three of the Mavericks' six service aces while senior right side hitter Megan Gianinetti finished with 11 digs.
 
Katie Scherr also tallied eight kills and four blocks.
 
The Mavericks, who had been a perfect 4-0 in away matches, will try to bounce back on Saturday when they face 22^nd-ranked Colorado School of Mines.  The Orediggers are a perfect 9-0 in RMAC play and are 15-3 overall after a 3-set home win over Western State Colorado on Friday.
 
First serve in Golden and Lockridge Arena is set for 5 p.m.­