CMU’s volleyball team suffered its first loss at home in over a year Saturday night after winning two straight leading into Homecoming weekend.

During a three-game home stretch, the Mavericks (17-5, 9-4 RMAC) swept both Regis University and UC-Colorado Springs 3-0 before losing to Metro State 3-2.

“We’re always excited to play at home in front of our own crowd,” outside hitter Erin Perez said. “This team is a strong group of girls, and we believe in each other’s abilities. We’re confident that we can compete with the top teams in the RMAC and win.”

On Thursday, the Mavericks never trailed in their first set against Regis to win 25-19. The Rangers responded in the second set, forcing six ties and three lead changes, but after a late rally, the Mavs won 25-22. CMU easily took the third set 25-18 with the help of four service aces and the dominating play of Christian Otzen, who notched two service aces and 16 kills. Jordyn Moody had 28 assists and 12 digs, while Erin Perez added 13 digs of her own.

The next night the Mavericks were back in Brownson Arena to take on UC-Colorado Springs and picked up their second straight win of the weekend (25-23, 25-18, 25-20). CMU tallied 54 kills and 69 digs. Sunni Rae Baird finished with 28 digs, and Moody recorded 40 assists and 13 digs.

“As a team, we talk about practicing hard everyday and preparing ourselves correctly,” Perez said. “When it comes to game time and late in the set we talk about staying simple and doing what we do best in each position. We try not to pay attention to the score board and just focus on one play at a time.”

Metro State delivered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to CMU Saturday night. The Mavericks came out with intensity in the first set and fought for every point in a 27-25 win where neither team led by more than three points.

The Roadrunners persisted and barely won the second set 25-23 before dominating in the third set 25-13. The Mavs then managed to rally in the fourth set, winning 25-23 to force a fifth set.

The crowd was on its feet for the entire nail-biting fifth set. The Mavericks started off trailing 4-0 but fought back to force eight ties and four lead changes. However, errors hurt the Mavs, who eventually fell 20-18.

Melissa Hess had 21 kills, and Abby Ney had 16 kills. Perez and Baird added 19 digs apiece, while Moody finished with 53 assists and 10 digs.

“There’s always room for improvement with us, and we’re constantly trying to better ourselves,” Perez said. “ I think we need to remember how good we can be and are, and to believe in ourselves and each other. Not let our losses define us.”

CMU is back on the road this weekend playing Western State on Friday and Adams State on Saturday.

almahan@mavs.coloradomesa.edu