The Mavericks battled it out all the way through the third set to get the game win against Westminster College (WC).
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) got off on the right foot as they started the game off by scoring the first three points. After giving up a point by an attack error from sophomore right side Maranda Theleus, CMU then went on a four point run.
The Mavericks dominated in their attacking throughout the whole game, but freshman outside hitter Sierra Hunt really got things going for her team. Hunt had six kills in the first set.
CMU got a big lead and stayed there beating WC 25-10.
Entering the second set, the Mavericks knew that they needed to get up on the ball close to the net and attack fast if they wanted to win. That is exactly what they did and they were able to have 14 kills in that second set.
Hunt was able to find her momentum from the first set and continued to hit well in the second set with four more kills. Hunt ended the game leading the Mavericks with 12 kills.
Entering what would be the final set after CMU won the second set 25-11, the Griffins found some of their momentum on the defensive and offensive side of things. The set was back and forth as freshman right side Gabrielle Vogt had back to back kills to tie things up at six for the Mavericks.
Vogt ended the night with seven kills.
“I was mainly focusing on swinging high instead of swinging straight into their block. Coach Skaff always says reach 11 feet so that was what I was doing,” Vogt said.
The Mavericks played both solid defense and offense against the Griffins as sophomore middle blockers Haley Hahn and Savannah Spitzer both hit over .500. Spitzer had eight kills while Hahn had seven kills and four blocks.
“We feel pretty comfortable if we can set the middles and establish that then one they are going to get kills and two it is just going to open up for Sierra and Gabby,” Head Coach Dave Flemming said.
The Mavericks completely dominated the Griffins as a team in points as they outscored WC 58 to 30. CMU was also able to capitalize on their serving as they had 11 service aces in three sets.
Senior setter Ara Norwood led the team in aces as she served up three of her own. Junior outside hitter Emily Tucker also had three of her own.
Freshman setter Sabrina VanDeList continued to be dominated in the setting position as she had 18 against WC. She also helped the Mavericks defensively as well with 11 digs.
Junior libero led the team defensively as she had 15 digs of her own.
The Mavericks head to Alamosa, Colo. to compete in their final pod-series of the season against Black Hills State University and Adams State University starting at 2 p.m on March 19.
