GUNNISON, Colo.,   Western Colorado volleyball turned in one of its most complete matches of the season Friday night, taking the opening set and battling through several close frames before falling 3-1 to the UCCS Mountain Lions (25-23, 11-25, 25-27, 20-25) inside Paul Wright Gymnasium.

JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: UCCS defeats Western Colorado 3-1
Records: Western Colorado overall 1-22 (0-12 RMAC) | UCCS 21-2 overall (10-1 RMAC)
Location: Gunnison, CO (Paul Wright Gymnasium)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Mountaineers came out swinging in the first set, hitting an efficient .343 as a team while keeping UCCS off balance with aggressive serving and steady defense. Olive Rolseth led the charge with 18 kills and a .267 hitting percentage, including six kills in the opening frame that set the tone early. Kyra Kidd was a presence at the net with four total blocks and added four kills, helping Western outlast the Mountain Lions in a tight 25-23 win.
• Setters Kaira Willits and Anuhea Kaalele ran a balanced offense, combining for 34 assists on the night. Kaalele tallied 18 assists, while Willits added 16 assists and 15 digs, contributing to a strong all-around defensive showing. Galatia Andrew anchored the back row with 17 digs and three aces, while Liv Marshall added eight kills and 11 digs from the outside.
• After UCCS bounced back to even the match in set two, Western regrouped in a competitive third set that featured 11 ties and seven lead changes. Rolseth again powered the offense with clutch swings, supported by Breanna Nohava's .357 hitting clip on seven kills. Emily Robins chipped in six kills and a block, keeping Western within striking distance before UCCS edged out the 27-25 finish.
• In the final set, Western continued to show fight, trading points early behind another strong run from Rolseth and a pair of key digs from Andrew and Marshall. The Mountaineers tallied 57 digs and 10 total blocks as a team while earning points through long rallies and disciplined transitions.

NET NOTES

• Western Colorado showed strong individual efforts in its four-set battle with UCCS. Olive Rolseth led the way with 18 kills and six digs, while Liv Marshall added eight kills and 11 digs.
• Breanna Nohava hit an efficient .357 with seven kills, and Kyra Kidd tallied four blocks and four kills.
• Setters Anuhea Kaalele and Kaira Willits combined for 34 assists, with Willits also leading the defense with 15 digs.
• Galatia Andrew anchored the back row with 17 digs and three aces, rounding out a well-balanced team performance for the Mountaineers.

THEY SAID IT


UP NEXT
The Mountaineers return to action on Sat. Nov. 8 at 5pm versus MSU Denver for their senior game.