Heading into Thursday night, CCU Volleyball knew their contest against Adams State would be a big one. Turns out, they were right…in more ways than one.
The match-up, which paired two perennially-strong RMAC teams, featured passionate players and fervent fans. By the time the game was over – more than two hours after it began – hordes of Cougar faithful were celebrating alongside a Christian squad who had fought tooth and nail to pull off the five-set win. Indeed, the match was a big one, the win huge, and the memories – for players and fans alike – unforgettable.
From the opening points, CCU players were giving their fans plenty to celebrate. An early 8-2 Cougar lead only grew as the first set progressed, with junior
Taylor Sturms igniting the Christian assault on the way to a 25-17 win.
Though they were down, Adams was certainly not out. The Grizzlies won sets two and three, thanks in part to a crippling block that stalled a normally potent CCU offense. Heading into the fourth, the visitors had the momentum and the advantage.
Fortunately, the blue and gold had plenty left to give. Though the battle was an even one to start set four, Christian launched a 12-3 run midway through the game. The result was a 25-17 win – enough to force a fifth and final set.
Despite a constant roar from CCU fans, Adams jumped on top of the Cougars in the finale. ASU forced their will on the home team, going up 3-0, then 8-4, and then 13-9. Normally in the 15-point deciding set, that kind of deficit is impossible to come back from. For the Colorado Christian squad, however, Thursday night in the Event Center was anything but normal.
With freshman
Marissa Lumpkin at the service line, the Cougars crawled back into the set. Three-straight ASU errors helped Lumpkin tie the score at 13. Though Adams would put the next ball away, Christian got it right back, tying the game at 14 on a punishing Sturms kill. It was a sign of things to come. With the match on the line, Sturms carried CCU's offensive weight, finding hardwood twice more to seal the 16-14 Colorado Christian win.
"Games like tonight's are why I play this sport," commented freshman middle
Angela Jurek. Jurek led the Cougars with a .348 kill percentage and six blocks. "The fans were behind the energy, the coaches behind the game plan, and the players behind the work. We all get the win, together."
Sturms echoed Jurek's sentiment.
"This win was a complete team effort. We played with heart and a will to win. Our pre-game devotion was about breathing life into one another and being an army. Tonight we battled and were warriors."
Sturms closed out the night with a match and season-high 23 kills to go along with 22 digs.
Joelle LeFevre, her teammate in the back row, led all players with 28 digs.
"I know I speak on behalf of my team," continued Sturms, "when I say thank you to our amazing fans for their energy and support tonight."
Two more tests await Colorado Christian at the Event Center this weekend. The Cougars host Western State on Friday before wrapping the week with a 5PM match-up against Colorado Mesa on Saturday.
