Gunnison, Colo.,  The Western Colorado volleyball team showed grit and energy in front of the home crowd on Friday afternoon, pushing Colorado Mesa through several close stretches before falling in straight sets.

JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Colorado Mesa defeats Western Colorado 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-16)
Records: Western Colorado overall 1-14  (0-5 RMAC) | Colorado Mesa 10-4 overall (4-1 RMAC)
Location: Gunnison, Colo. (Paul Wright Gym)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Western opened the match strong, racing to an 8–4 lead behind back-to-back kills from Anuhea Kaalele and Liv Marshall, along with an ace from Olive Rolseth.
• The Mountaineers' front row continued to find success as Breanna Nohava and Kyra Kidd combined for a block to extend the advantage to 15–12.
• Despite the quick start, Mesa rallied late with a 6-1 run to move in front. Kaalele added another kill to close the gap to 21–19, but the Mavericks closed out the frame, 25-21.
• The Mountaineers carried their momentum into the second set, turning an early deficit into a 6–5 lead after a service ace from Galatia Andrew and kills by Rolseth and Kidd.
• Western continued to battle point for point, tying the set six times and briefly pulling ahead 14–12 thanks to a Rolseth block and a Marshall ace.
• Kaalele and Nohava each notched key kills late to keep the Mountaineers within striking distance, but Mesa edged out the second set, 25-22.
• Western looked to extend the match early in the third, closing the gap to 7–5 after kills from Kaalele and Kidd.
• Nohava added a late swing through the middle, and Rolseth connected on a right-side attack to keep the Mountaineers in range. However, the Mavericks finished strong to seal the match, 25-16.

NET NOTES
 

• Anuhea Kaalele led the Mountaineers with 12 kills on .556 hitting to go along with nine assists and two blocks.
• Olive Rolseth added six kills, seven digs, and one ace, while Kyra Kidd chipped in six kills and a block.
• Kaira Willits dished out 16 assists and tallied six digs, and Breanna Nohava contributed three kills and four block assists as Western totaled 32 kills, 35 digs, and five team blocks on the night.

UP NEXT
Western Colorado hosts Westminster for an RMAC match on Sat. Oct. 111 at 6pm.