SALT LAKE CITY – Western State Colorado University Volleyball got out to a fast start against Westminster College on Saturday. The Mountaineers took the first set, but were unable to defeat the Griffins on the road, falling 3-1 (25-16, 23-25, 18-25, 20-25).
 
Western (1-12, 0-5 RMAC) scored the first six points to open the match against WC (4-8, 2-2 RMAC). Despite a surge by the Griffins, the Mountaineers handily took the first set 25-16.
 
The Mountaineers hit .314 in the first set, committing just three errors, while recording 14 kills.
 
The second set was a much closer affair, but the Mountaineers found an edge and went ahead 23-20 late in the set. However, the Griffins scored the next five points to even the match at one set apiece.
 
Like the second set, neither team was able to gain any ground on the other. A late run by Westminster put the set out of reach and the Griffins went ahead 2-1.
 
In a need to win situation, Western went out a built a 12-9 lead in the fourth set. An 8-0 run by the Griffins erased that lead and it was Westminster in the driver's seat with a 17-12 lead.
 
The Griffins went on to win the fourth and final set 25-20, taking a 3-1 victory.
 
Western's Cammi Baumann led all players in the match with 21 digs.
 
Kirsten Companik and Emilee Scates each recorded double-digit kills for the Mountaineers. Companik led the team with 15, while Scates added 10.
 
As a team, Western recorded seven service aces and blocked nine Griffin attacks.
 
The Mountaineers will return to Gunnison next weekend, hosting Metro State University Denver on Friday at 7 p.m. and Chadron State College at 7 p.m. on Saturday.