CCU Volleyball won big and then lost big Friday, splitting their matches on day one of the Eckerd College Classic in St. Petersburg, FL. Colorado Christian downed West Liberty in straight sets before falling to host EC in three to close out the day. The Cougars now sit at 2-4 on the infant season.

In the morning match against West Liberty, CCU's attack proved potent and lethal. The three-set win came thanks to a solid .261 Christian attack clip. The Hilltoppers had little in response, managing a .162 effort that included an .036 in the opening set of the match. 

As they did last weekend, Sophia Proano and Taylor Sturms paced the Christian assault. Combining for 25 kills in the 25-12, 27-25, 25-21 victory, the two helped CCU to a 55-kill showing compared to a mere 29 from WLU. Proano also did her defensive part, tallying three blocks at the net. Sophomore Joelle LeFevre led the blue and gold from behind the ten foot line, stopping 22 West Liberty attacks for a 22-dig game.

"The girls are starting to pull things together," remarked CCU Coach Andria Harshen on the win, "and we are happy to come out with our first three-set victory o the season. Defensively we were able to keep the ball alive well and that allowed us to win a lot of tough rallies."

Unfortunately, Christian's fortunes ended at the close of the West Liberty match. Playing the feature contest against Eckerd, the Cougars struggled to find their groove - starting in serve receive. A fierce EC assault from the service line rattled CCU in the passing lanes, and amounted to seven aces for the Tritons.

Offensively, the blue and gold couldn't match the Eckerd production. Hitting a .204 clip, Christian totaled 36 kills to EC's 44 (.250). 

Sturms and sophomore Connie Olson led CCU from the pins, tallying nine kills apiece. Olson's effort marked the best of her brief career as a Cougar, as the Castle Pines native committed just three errors in a .333 showing. Leftover turned in a game best 21 digs, averaging an impressive seven per set. 

Seton Hill University and UNC Pembroke await Colorado Christian on Saturday - the Cougars will kick off the day against SHU at 10:30 am MST.