GUNNISON, Colo. – Western Colorado University volleyball returns to Paul Wright Gym this weekend after a three game road stretch. On Friday, Western faces Metropolitan State University of Denver before matching up with Chadron State on Saturday. Both matches are slated for 7 p.m.
Western (1-12, 0-5 RMAC) looks to pick up their first win against Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference competition in front of the home crowd.
Throughout the first half of the season, the Mountaineer offense has seen steady guidance from sophomore setter Hannah Hendrickson. With an average of 7.60 assists per set across the entire season, Hendrickson figures among the statistical leaders in the RMAC.
On the receiving end of those assists,
Kirsten Companik and
Kathleen Kasel lead the Mountaineer offense in kills with an average of 1.90 and 1.79 per set, respectively.
Defensively,
Maddy Johnson leads Western with 23 blocks.
Cammi Baumann averages of 4.07 digs per set.
Statistically, Western is one of the best serving teams in the RMAC, averaging 1.43 service aces per set. Baumann and
Lyria Brook are the backbone of this success with 15 and 14 services aces on the season.
Against Metro State (7-5, 3-1 RMAC), Western sees a team that has played a tough non-conference schedule before moving into RMAC play. All told, the Roadrunners have played four nationally ranked teams this season, taking set wins from all but one in the process.
The Roadrunners sit fifth in the RMAC standings entering the weekend. All-time, Western is 7-25 against Metro State.
Metro's high-powered offense averages 13.34 kills per set, largely on the backs of Taylor Duryea and Santaisha Sturges. Both are top five statistical performers in the RMAC.
On Saturday versus Chadron State (2-10, 0-4 RMAC) Western finds a team that enters the weekend of a five match slide.
Entering the weekend, Western leads the all-time series with Chadron 19-17.
Statistically, the Eagles look much like the Mountaineers while sitting one position ahead in the conference standings.
Brooke Gardner and Aracely Hernandez lead an Eagle offense that features three women average more than 2.5 kills per set.
For those who can't make it out to Paul Wright Gym this weekend to watch the Mountaineers, you can always catch the live stream and stats found in the links above.
