GUNNISON – Western State Colorado University women's volleyball put up a fight against Colorado Mesa University, but fell in four-sets (20-25, 23-25, 25-11, 14-25). The Mountaineers look to bounce back tomorrow evening when they take on Westminster College in Paul Wright Gymnasium at 7 p.m.
 
The match was a strong defensive chess match, with both teams holding the other under .075 hitting. Each team committed 28 or more errors, while putting away 36 or more kills. The two opening sets were close, with each team evenly matched in kills and hitting, while the final two sets traded blowouts.
 
Tori Gaherty led the charge for the Mountaineers with 10 kills and nine digs. She was joined by Jordan Eatwell and Molly Hothan with nine kills apiece. Setter Allison Walker had 34 assists and eight digs.
 
Defensively, the Mountaineers held the Mavericks to a .050 hitting percentage. The team has led by libero Amanda Maestas with 18 digs, while Logan Franek assisted with 10. Up front Hothan was the center point of a Mountaineer wall the Mavericks could not get through. She led the team with six block assists, while Maria Agazio, Eatwell and Avery Burkholder added in three block assists each.
 
Despite the loss, the third set showed the true power of the Mountaineers. Western had only won one set against Mesa since October of 2012, and the 14 point win was the largest set victory since September of 2006 when the sets went to 30 points instead of 25. It is also the only time the Mountaineers held the Mavericks under 20 points in a non-fifth set since 2010.