GUNNISON, Colo. Western Colorado battled back and won the third set on Friday (Oct. 21) against Colorado Mesa at home. But, it wasn't enough to pull off a comeback as they fell 3-1 (20-25, 17-25, 25-21, 13-25) in front of a packed house.
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Colorado Mesa def. Western Colorado 3-1 (20-25, 17-25, 25-21, 13-25)
Records: Western Colorado 2-18 (1-12 RMAC), Colorado Mesa 16-4 (11-2 RMAC).
Location: Paul Wright Gym; Gunnison, Colo.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After falling down two sets to zero, the Mountaineers came roaring back in the third set. While Western won the set the Mavericks made them battle for every single point. The biggest lead the Mountaineers had was five-points (17-12), thanks to an attack error from Colorado Mesa, blocks from Emily Mangone and Carsen Glaser, and a service ace by Hailee Martinez.
• That 4-0 run resulted in the Mavericks calling a timeout. Colorado Mesa regrouped and went on a brief 4-1 run – Mangone picking up a kill, three points into that run.
• Jordyn Todd (kill) and Randi Wellhoefer (service ace) helped extend Western Colorado's lead to 20-16. However, similar to before the Mavericks weren't going to go away easy an went on another 3-0 run to trim the Mountaineers lead to 21-19.
• Yet, none of that matter as Western Colorado closed the set out on a 5-2 run. Todd picked up a kill to start the run, then an error by the Mavericks, back-to-back kills from Caroline Parker and a block by Wellhoefer helped the Mountaineers win the third set.
• Parker led the way in the third set in kills, picking up four total. Todd and Mangone also were a factor in the kill category in the third set, Todd picking up three and Mangone picking up two kills.
• Unfortunately, Western was unable to duplicate that success in the fourth set. The Mavericks got out to a quick 13-2 lead and never looked back to win the match 3-1.

COURT NOTES

• Mangone led the way in the kill and dig category, finishing the game with 12 kills and seven digs. Parker and Wellhoefer were right behind her in kills with 10 and nine kills total and both players finished the game tied in blocks with four apiece. Olive Rolseth also had two blocks in the game.
• Elizabeth Rupprecht and Lexi Wilmoth were also a factor on the defense end each picking up six digs.
• Rounding things off, Wilmoth and Hailee Martinez were setting up their teammates left and right, Wilmoth having 22 assist and Martinez slightly behind her with 19.

UP NEXT
The Mountaineers return to action tomorrow (Oct. 22) taking on Westminster College at 5 p.m in Paul Wright Gym.