WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Western State Colorado University women's volleyball team defeated the University of Mary (25-16, 16-25, 28-26, 25-21) Saturday evening in the Peggy Martin Challenge hosted by the University of Central Missouri. The Mountaineers (2-3, 0-0 RMAC) fell victim to Truman State (2-2) earlier in the day in four sets (13-25, 25-16, 18-25, 14-25).
 
Jordan Eatwell dominated the court, putting down 16 kills in the win over University of Mary (1-3). Hailey Rehage and Tori Gaherty each added eight kills, while Avery Burkholder chipped in seven. All four were season-high performances and hit over .300, led by Eatwell's .500 hitting percentage. Setter Allison Walker had a season-high 36 assists as well, distributing the ball to six different hitters.
 
In addition to contributing offensively, Rehage, Burkholder and Molly Hothan set a wall up front as each had five or more block assists. Anything that had a chance to slip by was picked up by Amanda Maestas and Walker who combined for 34 digs. Maestas also had a season-high three service aces.
 
In the loss to Truman State Hothan had a team-high 10 kills, while Taylor Castillo added nine. Walker had 28 assists and 13 digs. Despite struggling up front, Western State owned the service lines as six players combined for nine total aces.
 
Defensively, the Mountaineers struggled, getting out blocked 16-1. Maestas led the back row with a season-high 21 digs. She was later named as All-Tournament team as voted on by the coaches.
 
The Mountaineers return to action Friday, Sept. 11, and Saturday, Sept. 12, when they compete in the CSU-Pueblo/UCCS Steel and Silver Classic.