DENVER – Western State Colorado University volleyball faced Metro State University Denver on Friday night on the road. The Mountaineers nearly stole the first set, but eventually fell to the Road Runners in three sets (25-27, 14-25, 21-25).
 
Western (2-22, 1-14 RMAC) was on fire to start the match against MSU Denver (17-7, 14-2 RMAC). The Mountaineers paced the Road Runners for the entire first set. Western led the entire set and were just two points away from taking the first on the road, leading MSU Denver 23-21.
 
However, the Road Runners would score the following three points to take their first lead of the match, 24-23 in the first set. A kill by Kiki Johnson followed by a MSU Denver point and a kill by Kathleen Kasel kept the match tied at 25 points. Two kills by MSU Denver's Taylor Duryea gave the Road Runners a 27-25 set victory.
 
Kasel and teammate Jordan Eatwell led the Mountaineer offense as each recorded seven kills. Eatwell also led the team, hitting .333 on Friday night.
 
In the second set, it was MSU Denver that would lead from start to finish. The Road Runners took the crucial second set 25-14.
 
The Mountaineers rallied in the third set, but was unable to come away with the set win, falling 25-21 in the third.
 
Western's Taylor Ferrel led all players in blocks, recording two solo blocks and one block assist.
 
MSU Denver's Santaisha Sturges led all players with 12 kills.
 
Western has three matches remaining in the 2017. The next will be played Saturday night against UC-Colorado Springs on the road. The final home match of the season will take place next Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Paul Wright Gym against New Mexico Highlands University.