LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Win and we're in. That is what the Western State Colorado University women's volleyball team was facing as it went to Las Vegas, New Mexico and walked out with a four-set win (25-15, 25-20, 21-25, 25-19) against New Mexico Highlands University.
 
Allison Walker was the story of the match. The senior setter destroyed her career-best in assists with 60 assists. On top of that, she dished out a dozen digs in the battle.
 
Tori Gaherty, Jordan Eatwell and Molly Hothan were all the beneficiaries of Walker's performance, putting down a combined 45 kills. Gaherty had a team-high 16 kills, while Eatwell had 15 and Hothan had 14. Also Avery Burkholder had 11 kills.
 
Walker and her teammate of eight years Amanda Maestas combined for the defense for Western. Maestas led the team with 19 digs, while Caiden Rexius also joined with 10. Up front, Burkholder and Hothan came together for eight total blocks.
 
Even with the win the Mountaineers face the same battle. Western's RMAC rival to the south Adams State comes to town Saturday for senior night. With a win Western is in for sure, with a loss the team would only get in if Westminster College upset CSU-Pueblo. Western will host senior night Saturday at 7 p.m. and encourage all in the Gunnison area to bring five cans to donate to the Gunnison Country Food Pantry for free admission.