Colorado Mesa University’s volleyball team was looking to end the regular season strong against two tough opponents in Metro State University (MSU) and No. 11 Regis University (RU) last week. Despite looking to come away with two conference victories, the Mavericks fall in both of their games to finish the regular season with a 17-9 overall record. This includes going 11-7 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).
The first matchup on the weekend for CMU came at home against MSU. This was the Mavericks final home game of the season, which meant it was senior night for CMU. The Mavericks honored two seniors on the night in the Gianinetti sisters.
The sisters are third and fourth on the team in kills for the season, with Megan leading by 16 (168-152). They are also third and fourth on the team in total points. Megan finished the regular season with 212.5 while Hattie finished with 177.5.
The Mavericks opened the match up strong against the Roadrunners by winning the first set 25-20. In the set, the Roadrunners scored three straight points to bring the match within one point 21-20. CMU then countered by scoring the next four points to win the set.
However, after the first set, it was all Roadrunners from that point on. MSU went on to win the next three sets (25-22, 25-17, 25-22) and the game.
Statistically, both teams were pretty close in most categories. MSU finished with only five more points (64-59), one more ace (4-3), two more assists (49-47) and three extra digs (58-55). Both teams also finished with 52 kills.
Despite being close to all those categories, it was the hitting percentage that set the two teams apart. The Roadrunners finished with a .228 while the Mavericks had a mere .179. This included the third set where CMU finished with only a .094 hitting percentage for the entire set.
CMU was looking to rebound on Saturday night down in Denver as they were taking on the Rangers to wrap up the regular season. The Rangers, however, had no intention of losing on senior night to the Mavericks. They won in straight sets (28-26, 25-21, 25-22) to secure the top seed in the RMAC.
The Rangers dominated almost every category on the night. They finished with 15 more digs, 10 more kills and 11 more assists. For the second game in a row, the Mavericks struggled in the hitting percentage department, only managing a .038 for the game. This included a -.020 percentage for the first set.
Mackenzie Edwards finished leading in three categories for the Mavericks. She finished with 15 kills, one ace and 15 digs. Samantha Ritter was the other statistical leader for CMU leading with one block and 36 assists.
Despite the two losses the Mavericks already clinched a playoff spot for the upcoming RMAC tournament. CMU finished the regular season in sixth place in the conference, which sets up a rematch against MSU in the first round of the RMAC tournament.
This will be the third game in 10 days between the two teams, with the Roadrunners winning both contests this season.
The game is scheduled for Nov. 14 down in Denver at 7 p.m.
