GUNNISON, Colo. --- Western Colorado volleyball will play two conference matches this week, one on Friday and one Saturday in Paul Wright Gym. Making the short trip to Gunnison for the matches will be Adams State University on Friday to play at 7 p.m. (Costume Night) and Fort Lewis College on Saturday to play at 3 p.m. (Faculty and Staff Apperception).
 
The Mountaineers currently rank 13th in the RMAC rankings with their 8-14 overall and 4-9 RMAC record.
 
THE MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2019 SEASON STATS
Last week the Mountaineers were on the road in Utah as they faced two RMAC contenders on their home courts. Western Colorado fell to the Trailblazers 3-1 (25-15, 25-9, 17-25, 25-11) on Friday night, then came up short to the Griffins 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-17) on Saturday night extending their losing streak to four games.
 
Fridays match was a tough one against Dixie State as the Mountaineers lost the first two sets by an average of 13 points. In the third set they changes the momentum to win the set 25-17 as they went on a six point run with Lyria Brook recording three service aces in those six points. Unfortunately, the Trailblazers came back to win the fourth set and claim the victory. 
 
Saturday wasn't much better as the Griffins swept the Mountaineers winning by an average of eight points through the three sets. The second set was the closest for Western Colorado as they held the lead at 18-17 before Westminster scored five straight, helping lead them to a 25-21 victory.
 
Leading WCU in kills in last week's matches was junior Emilee Scates who was able to record 16 kills in the seven sets played. Hanna Hendrickson recorded 15 digs, along with having a total of 41 assists. Myles Hilbert led the team in digs with 30 over the two matches. Lighting up the service line were Mountaineers Lyria Brook along with Hilbert as they both recorded five aces over the seven sets played.
 
Season leaders for the Mountaineers:
Kills: #10 – Jordyn Todd – Freshman – 213 kills
Digs: #2 – Myles Hilbert – Freshman – 289 digs
Assists: #9 – Hanna Hendrickson – Junior – 622 assists
Service Aces: #2 – Lyria Brook – Junior – 23 aces
Blocks: #12 – Brianna Hardy – Freshman – 34 blocks / #12 – Emilee Scates – Junior – 34 blocks
 
Adams State University | 2019 SEASON STATS
The Grizzlies of Adams State University comes into Friday's match on a five match losing streak, losing three of those in the fifth set. Last week they only played one match against Black Hills State, the Grizzlies lost 3-1.  
 
Adams State sits just below the Mountaineers in the RMAC rankings, as they rank 14th in the conference.
 
Season leaders for the Grizzlies:
Kills: #2 – Hannah Goddard – Senior – 192 kills
Digs: #4 – Mackenzie Swanson – Junior – 256 digs
Assists: #13 – Bailey Schlosser – Freshman – 425 assists
Service Aces: #4 – Mackenzie Swanson – Junior – 29 aces
Blocks: #5 – Shannon Mulkey – Junior – 75 blocks
 
Fort Lewis College | 2019 SEASON STATS
The Skyhawks of Fort Lewis College come into Saturday's game after they play Colorado Mesa on Friday. Currently the Skyhawks are coming off of a road week where they won in the fifth set over South Dakota Mines, then lost in the fifth set to Black Hills State.
 
Fort Lewis sits rank 11th in the RMAC rankings with their 9-13 overall and 5-8 RMAC records.
 
Season leaders for the Skyhawks:
Kills: #13 – Bailey Longacre – Senior – 197 kills
Digs: #2 – Kamryn Lopez – Freshman – 315 digs
Assists: #18 – Payton Harmann – Freshman – 555 assists
Service Aces: #8 – Ohiyah Shirley – Senior – 28 aces
Blocks: #13 – Bailey Longacre – Senior – 59 blocks
 
NEXT WEEK
Following this week's matches, the Mountaineers are set to play UCCS next Friday at 7 p.m. and then Colorado Mines on Saturday at 6 p.m. as both games will be held in Paul Wright Gym.