It's been a long week for Colorado Christian University Volleyball. Four matches and almost 1,000 miles assured that. Fortunately, if this year's Cougars are anything, they're resilient. Sunday in Rapid City, SD, CCU rebounded from a Saturday loss and proved they're tougher than a grueling week. The Cougars beat South Dakota Mines in four sets to advance to 13-9 on the 2014 campaign.
 
With the usual offenders leading the way, Christian dominated the home Hardrockers in all but one set. A clean attack lifted CCU to a .239 kill percentage, with Taylor Sturms, Kaylee Pierce, and Marnie McIlraith combining forces to help the Cougars amass 51 kills. McIlraith averaged a little more than four kills per set on the way to a team-high 17 from the outside. Sturms added 13 kills, in addition to a team-high 21 dig-effort.
 
"After last night's tough loss, we came together today," reflected Sturms after the win. "We tried to be positive and encouraging, and are always hoping to be a witness to one another and our opponents. I think we are gelling more as a team right now, which is helping our offense."
 
Also in on the defensive action was freshman Angela Jurek, who totaled six blocks to finish the week with 19. The Naperville, IL native is currently second in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference  in blocks.
 
The Christian squad breezed past SDSMT in the opening sets, winning 25-19 in both to take the advantage in the match. Though Mines would battle back to win the third 25-21, Christian wouldn't allow a deciding fifth set. The Cougars hammered the Hardrockers 25-15 in the finale.
 
""It was a tough week but we fought through with grit. We kept our focus on the next ball and put our energy into the game. We reminded ourselves about the love we have for each other and the game. Every day we are working on playing smash-mouth and smart volleyball and it is paying off. It is a team effort. The offense could not get it done without good passing or defense and our setters."
 
Though they just played Chadron and BHSU on Friday and Saturday, CCU will host their northern foes this week. The Cougars open play on Friday against Black Hills State.
 
"Our focus is playing CCU volleyball, out-working the other team, and playing as one unit for God."