The Fort Lewis College volleyball program will continue to have its work cut out for them in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference this season under first-year coach Tricia Melfy, after the Skyhawks were swept in both contests over the weekend, falling to UC-Colorado Springs and No. 25 Colorado School of Mines Saturday night in Golden.
In Friday night’s game against Colorado Springs, the Skyhawks were swept 25-20, 25-17 and 25-9. Junior middle blocker Bailey Longacre and freshman outside hitter Jacalyn Sharko recorded six kills in the loss. The Skyhawks (1-7, 1-3 RMAC), got off to a promising 6-2 lead but the Mountain Lions went on a 6-1 late in the set to take a 20-15 lead and would not give it up.
In the second set, Fort Lewis also maintained a brief 7-6 lead but the closest the Skyhawks got was a four-point deficit, with UC-Colorado Springs winning the set on a 6-2 run. The Skyhawks tried to fight back in the third set, but it became clear from the opening point of the set that the Mountain Lions would remain in firm control. UC-Colorado Springs scored 16 of 18 points at one point to give themselves a comfortable 17-3 lead. Just a few points later, the Mountain Lions won the match with ease, winning the final game 25-9.
In Saturday night’s game against top-25 opponent Colorado School of Mines, FLC fell in successive sets, 25-19, 25-18 and 25-16. While it was a much stronger showing from the Skyhawk front line, it was not enough to take down the nationally ranked Orediggers. Fort Lewis hit just 69 percent as a team, had 26 kills, 22 assists and 116 total attacks. Senior outside right hitter Haley Christiansen and Freshman outside hitterTye Wedhorn finished with six kills each, while Abby Tiesman led the Orediggers with 13.
The Skyhawks will have a week to prepare for a trip back to Utah for two more RMAC games, where they will play Dixie State at 6 p.m. on Sept. 21 and at Westminster College at 4 p.m. the following day, Sat. Sept. 22.
bploen@durangoherald.com
