HAYS, Kan. --- Western Colorado volleyball goes 1-1 on their first day of the Tiger Classic Tournament Friday in Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Mountaineers won their first game of the day against Southern Arkansas 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 26-24), then got defeated in their second game against Northwestern Oklahoma 3-2 (25-21, 25-23, 17-25, 18-25, 15-10).
 
During the first game against Southern Arkansas, the Mountaineers swept the Muleriders with a dominating first set, winning by 12 points. Then continued to outscore Southern Arkansas through the next two sets.
 
Against the Muleriders, Emily Mangone paced the Mountaineers with 9 kills, with teammate Kristen Companik closely behind with six kills. Hanna Hendrickson led Western with 24 assists while Jordyn Todd and Myles Hilbert both contributed three aces with Lyria Brook earing two for the Mountaineers.
 
In the second game against Northwestern Oklahoma the Mountaineers got off to an unlucky start losing the first two sets by an average of three points (25-21, 25-23). In the third set Western found their rhythm, allowing them to win the set 25-17, and then were able to continue to win the fourth set 25-18. In the fifth set the Mountaineers came up short losing 15-10 allowing the Rangers to clinch the match.
 
Against Northwestern Oklahoma Emilee Scates earned a season high of 22 kills, with both Companik and Todd each earing 11 kills. Hendrickson also had a season high of 42 assists and 20 digs while Hilbert led the Mountaineers with 37 digs during the game.  
 
The Mountaineers will be back in action tomorrow as they play Fort Hays State University at 12 p.m. and Newman University at 4:30 p.m.