At 2-9 overall, the season hadn’t gone the way the Fort Lewis volleyball wanted as the Skyhawks faced off against Chadron State at home on Saturday night.
FLC found itself in another big hole in the first set down 20-13 and it looked like the Skyhawks were headed for another loss. But FLC showed its skill and resilience. Specifically, sophomore outside hitter Jordan DeJesus. She took over in the first set and had nine kills to lead the Skyhawks to a 31-29 first-set win. That momentum took FLC through the next two sets and to a 3-0 victory over Chadron State.
The Skyhawks improved to 3-9 overall and 1-3 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference after winning 31-29, 25-21 and 26-24. Chadron State fell to 2-10 overall and 0-4 in RMAC play after the loss.
“It is exciting to see they put it together in three sets,” FLC volleyball head coach Giedre Tarnauskaite said. “A sweep is never easy in the RMAC so to see us fight every step of the way … in front of a home crowd. The atmosphere was great so it was exciting.”
DeJesus finished with a career-high 16 kills to lead the Skyhawks. Senior outside hitter Alexis Hobie had 12 kills and sophomore outside hitter Alina Nunez had 10 kills for FLC.
One of FLC’s top blockers, junior Ella Butler, missed the game due to a concussion suffered in practice.
Chadron State had trouble keeping the ball inbounds early on. An ace by fifth-year right side Lauren Shea gave the Skyhawks a 6-4 lead. The Eagles went on a 6-0 run thanks to good blocking.
The Eagles had more hitting power and made some great saves against the Skyhawks’ spikes to get a 13-7 lead. FLC countered with some good blocking and setting to cut the lead to 14-11. Chadron State continued to have spikes the Skyhawks couldn’t return and led 20-13. DeJesus showed off her skill and jumping ability. Chadron State didn’t have an answer for DeJesus on the left side and she pushed FLC into contention down 22-21.
DeJesus continued her dominant play and a crosscourt kill tied the set at 23.
With the set on the line, Shea had a powerful kill to tie the set at 26. Hobie had a kill to make it 29-28. DeJesus had a kill and senior setter Natalia Lambos ended the set with an ace to win the set 31-29 and finish an incredible comeback.
“We’ve been working on being an offensive threat and Jordan did an amazing job to lead us offensively,” Tarnauskaite said. “Everyone on our team got behind her and saw her success. They were inspired to push themselves and execute at a high level. She was a key difference-maker in this game.”
DeJesus continued her strong play in the second set which helped push the Skyhawks ahead early 7-3. Tarnauskaite said she rotated her lineup so DeJesus was in the front row earlier.
FLC had good play at the net including good blocking which pushed it ahead 12-7. Chadron State got back into the set with some hitting errors by FLC and the Skyhawks went away from DeJesus. FLC led 14-13.
Chadron State tied the set at 18 after a quality block by an Eagle forcing a Tarnauskaite timeout. But FLC closed the second set well and a Hobie ace finished off the second set 25-21.
A brief stoppage delayed play for five or so minutes early in the third set. Freshman defensive specialist Emery Pomroy had an ace and Hobie had a spike to push the FLC lead to 9-5.
The Skyhawks had some good play around the net. Hobie used her height and strength for a few kills to put FLC up 14-7.
Chadron State made a comeback with some good defense followed by properly placed kills to make it 19-16 FLC.
Hobie took over from DeJesus late and had a few timely kills. The Skyhawks had numerous serving errors late which helped Chadron State creep closer down 23-21.
“I talked to Natalia (Lambos) our quarterback, about midway through the second set,” Tarnauskaite said. “My job is to anticipate the shifts and what would be our advantage and disadvantage. I wanted to make sure we were giving opportunities to other hitters. Jordan could go for days, she was relentless. It was more about distribution and having more options if and when we needed them. I figured Chadron’s block would be waiting for Jordan.”
The Skyhawks then seemed out of sorts. Chadron State scored on a cheeky ace to tie the set at 24. But Nunez had an answer and finished the set with two kills to win the match.
FLC is back on the road next Friday at Adams State.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
