GUNNISON, Colo. --- The Western Colorado volleyball team came up short by two points in the fifth set against the Trailblazers of Dixie State, losing 3-2 (25-18, 23-25, 23-25, 25-17, 15-13) Friday at Paul Wright Gym.
 
Western Colorado (6-6 overall, 2-2 RMAC) got off to a slow start as Dixie State (8-3 overall, 3-0 RMAC) earned up to a nine-point lead over the Mountaineers at 22-13 in the first set. Western Colorado then outscored the Trailblazers 5-3, only to lose the set at 25-18.
 
The second set went point for point until the Trailblazers earned a three-point lead at 9-6, only to have the Mountaineers tie it up at 10-10. The set remained tight and was tied at 23-23 before the Mountaineers scored two unanswered points to win the second set.
 
Western Colorado used their momentum to take an early lead in the third set and maintained it throughout the set, winning 25-23.
 
The fourth set again went point for point until the Trailblazers went on a 3-0 run giving them a 14-11 lead. They then extended it to an eight point lead to win 25-17, sending the game into the fifth set.
 
The Mountaineers started the fifth set with a 4-0 run, only to get caught at 5-5. The final set remained close and was tied 13-13 before Dixie State scored two unanswered points to earn the victory at 15-13.
 
Western Colorado junior Hanna Hendrickson recorded 45 assists on the night - 85 percent of her team's total. Leading the Mountaineers in kills was freshman Jordyn Todd with a match-high of 20 kills, Emily Mangone recorded 14 kills and Emilee Scates earned 11. At libero, freshman Myles Hilbert recorded 22 digs on the night.
 
The Mountaineers are back on the court in Paul Wright Gym Saturday night as they take on the Griffins of Westminster College for their White Out Game. The match starts at 5 p.m. and remember to wear your white T-shirts, but if you don't have one, 100 WCU volleyball white T-shirts will also be given out at the game.