A balanced attack and the comforts of home helped provide the Fort Lewis College volleyball team a 3-1 (25-20, 25-21, 22-25, 25-20) win over Western State.
The Skyhawks played their first home match Friday after three weeks on the road to open the season.
“It was awesome; it felt so good to finally be home in front of our fans, our families,” FLC outside hitter Ashley Wells said.
Wells led the team with 13 points, including 10 kills, two blocks and an ace.
Middle blockers Kristin Stephan and Madi Bickle led FLC (2-11, 2-3 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) with 11 kills and combined for five blocks.
“Having multiple weapons at the net makes it difficult for the other side to key on one certain player,” FLC head coach Kelley Rifilato said. “We want to do that to other teams. Our setter’s doing a good job moving the ball around.”
Four Skyhawks took more than 20 attempts at the ball, while seven had more than 10.
FLC setter Heather Danny had 37 assists in the match.
FLC won the first two sets and erased a six-point deficit in the third to tie the game at 19, but Western State (1-12, 0-5 RMAC) closed the set on a 4-1 run to win.
The Skyhawks block improved during that comeback and pushed them to the win the fourth and final frame.
FLC made six blocks as a team and was outblocked 10-6, but focusing the block inside rather than outside gave the Skyhawks an advantage at the end.
“We’re doing a good job of putting our block in a good position to be successful,” Rifilato said.
FLC will continue its short homestand against Adams State on Saturday with a chance to move to .500 in conference play.
The Grizzlies are 4-1 in RMAC play and lead the league in hitting percentage.
Gabriella Rifilato, a Bayfield High School alumna and daughter of the FLC head coach, ranks second in the RMAC in assists per set (10.7) and leads the conference in aces per set (.55).
Megan Tapia leads the Grizzlies in most offensive categories and will be FLC’s focus on the defensive end.
“If we can slow her down, hopefully we can capitalize on that and win at home again,” coach Rifilato said.
kgrabowski@durangoherald.com
