Gunnison, Colo.,  Western Colorado volleyball showcased grit and determination inside Paul Wright Gymnasium on Saturday night, taking Westminster (UT) to five sets before narrowly falling 3–2.

JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Westminster defeats Western Colorado 3-2
Records: Western Colorado overall 1-15 (0-6 RMAC) | Westminster 10-6 overall (3-3 RMAC)
Location: Gunnison, Colo. (Paul Wright Gym)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Western opened strong behind early kills from Anuhea Kaalele and Breanna Nohava, jumping out to a 7–3 lead. Olive Rolseth paced the offense with timely swings, while Kyra Kidd and Emalie Depew combined for key blocks at the net. The Mountaineers continued to pressure the Griffins with balanced hitting and aggressive defense, forcing multiple attack errors. Westminster managed to rally late, stealing the set 26–24 despite Western's 14 kills and four total blocks.
• The second frame saw both teams trade early points before Westminster pulled ahead midway through. Kaalele distributed the ball effectively to multiple hitters, while Kidd and Rolseth provided consistency on the outside. Emily Robins came off the bench to add a spark defensively, and Andrew Galatia's service ace helped narrow the deficit. However, a late Westminster surge closed out the set 25–20.
• Refusing to go quietly, Western mounted a thrilling comeback in the third. Trailing 24–20, the Mountaineers rattled off six straight points behind clutch serving from Kaira Willits, who fired back-to-back aces to complete the rally. Rolseth and Kaalele each recorded crucial kills down the stretch, while Kidd dominated at the net with multiple blocks. The 26–24 win kept Western's hopes alive and ignited the home crowd.
• Western carried its momentum into the fourth, delivering its best hitting performance of the night at .244 efficiency. Rolseth continued her offensive tear, Kaalele set the pace with precision, and Liv Marshall contributed steady swings from the pin. The Mountaineers' defense was airtight, anchored by Nohava's blocking presence and Andrew's back-row coverage. A kill from Rolseth sealed the 25–18 victory, forcing a decisive fifth set.
• The deciding set opened evenly before Westminster found a late run to secure the win. Despite the outcome, Kidd and Kaalele continued to fight at the net, and Rolseth's steady play kept Western within reach. The Mountaineers' effort throughout the match underscored their growth and competitive spirit, showcasing the team's resilience against one of the RMAC's stronger squads.

 
NET NOTES
Western was led by Olive Rolseth, who powered the offense with 16 kills, six digs, and two blocks for a team-high 17.5 points. Kyra Kidd followed with 10 kills on a .250 hitting percentage, adding seven total blocks and five digs in a dominant two-way effort. Setter Anuhea Kaalele recorded a double-double with 10 kills, 23 assists, and 10 digs, while Breanna Nohava made her presence felt at the net with eight block assists and four kills. Galatia Andrew contributed across all areas with 14 digs, six assists, and three service aces, and Kaira Willits tallied 17 assists, 13 digs, and two aces in a strong all-around showing. Liv Marshall chipped in seven kills and nine digs, and Emily Robins added five blocks off the bench to round out a balanced Mountaineer performance.
 
THEY SAID IT


UP NEXT
Western Colorado travels to Fort Lewis on Tuesday Oct. 14 for an RMAC match at 6pm.