COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Millersville University women's volleyball team suffered two losses in its first day of the Mountain Lion Classic Volleyball Tournament. Set scores in match one against the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs were 25-18, 25-18, 25-17. Set scores in match two against Western Colorado were 29-27, 25-14, 25-14.
MATCH ONE
Millersville (3-3) posted a .141 hitting percentage, recording 27 kills, three aces, three blocks, and 39 digs. Taylor Welter led the Marauders with 10.5 points.
After trading points early in the first set and holding a narrow 12-11 lead, UCCS went on a 7-2 scoring run to build a four-point advantage. The Mountain Lions continued to capitalize on kills and Marauder errors, outscoring Millersville 7-2 to ultimately secure the first set. Millersville's offense started strong in the second set, taking an early 3-1 lead. However, three attacking errors allowed the Mountain Lions to go on a five-point run and seize the lead. Alex Nava, Sam White, and Marin Esch rallied the Marauders, cutting the deficit to just one point at 10-11. The teams battled back and forth, but three service aces from UCCS ultimately put them ahead to win the second set. The Marauders came out strong in the third set, opening with a 6-2 lead thanks to points from Hailey Lazur, Becca Hartranft, and Amanda Protzman. Millersville held the lead until the Mountain Lions tied the set at 16. They then went on an 8-0 scoring run to pull ahead and secure the match victory.
"I was very pleased with how we played our first match," said Millersville head coach Brian Smith. "UCCS is likely the best team here. Taylor had to step up as a six rotation outside with Kylee not being available, and she played amazing. The team hit well, passed and served much better."
MATCH TWO
The Marauders (3-4) recorded 33 kills, one ace, two blocks, and 43 digs in their match-up against the West Colorado University Mountaineers (1-5). Taylor Welter and Sam White each contributed eight kills, while Addy Van Oosten added two blocks.
Millersville began the first set trailing by two points but quickly surged ahead with a five-point run, taking a three-point lead. They maintained the advantage at 14-9 thanks to kills from Caroline Halsey, White, and Amanda Protzman. The Mountaineers responded with five unanswered points to tie the set. After back-and-forth play, the score was tied 24-24. Although the Marauders reached set point at 27-26, Western Colorado rallied with three consecutive points to claim the first set. The Mountaineers came out strong in the second set, scoring five quick points right from the start. Alex Nava, Halsey, and Welter tried to spark a comeback, but the Marauders' defense couldn't contain the Mountaineers' offense. Ultimately, Millersville struggled with errors and lost the second set. With the third set tied at 1-1, Western Colorado surged ahead with an 8-2 run. Protzman and Van Oosten managed to slow the momentum with a few points, but the Mountaineers continued to capitalize on key kills and took the match.
"The second match we played very well in set one," said Smith. "The altitude at which we are playing at is taking a toll on the team. Lancaster is at 368 feet and we are playing at 6,033 feet. We'll show up and play hard tomorrow. Adversity is good and we certainly get our care of it. But we continue to improve and that is the goal."
The Marauders' next match is Saturday, Sept. 13 as they continue to compete in the tournament. They will face Jamestown at 9 a.m. and Western New Mexico at 4:30 p.m.
