GUNNISON, Colo. – In what could end up being the most important win of the season, Western State Colorado University women's volleyball outside hitter Tori Gaherty put down a career-high 23 kills. Western State defeated Adams State Saturday evening in Gunnison in four sets (25-23, 23-25, 25-16, 25-19). The Mountaineers now hold sole possession of seventh place in the RMAC and have a game lead and the tiebreaker on Colorado Christian and Adams State. With three games remaining, the Mountaineers have all but written their ticket to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament.
 
Gaherty's 23 kill performance was three more than her career-best, a five set match in which she had 20 kills. Gaherty hit an outstanding .435 to lead the team, with errors on just three attacks. Taylor Castillo was the only other Mountaineer in double-digit kills with 13.
 
Also for the offense, Jordan Eatwell had four service aces.
 
Defensively, Amanda Maestas had a match-high 21 digs. Setter Allison Walker (44 assists) had 13 digs, while Eatwell had 11. Avery Burkholder, Molly Hothan and Castillo all had five total blocks for the match, with Gaherty putting down four.
 
The Mountaineers hosts two front range teams next weekend in UCCS and MSU-Denver. The team needs one more win to secure their place in the conference tournament.