DURANGO, CO – Needing to make a significant statement in their final road swing of the regular season, the Colorado Christian women's volleyball started out on the right side of the scoreboard.

In the first of two road contests this weekend, the Cougars posted a 3-1 (25-23, 20-25, 25-19, 25-20) victory against Fort Lewis on Friday evening.

The win lifts their record to 10-13 overall but, most importantly, moves their RMAC record to 7-8. They are in a tie with Western Colorado for the sixth spot in the league standings. The top eight teams make the conference's postseason event. (RMAC Standings)

HOW IT HAPPENED: The first set had some good drama at the end. Leading 24-20, the Cougars were in a solid spot to close out the opening frame with a victory. However, the home team battled back and pulled within 24-23 and forced a Cougars timeout. After the stoppage Kristy Dick registered a kill to end the tension and give Colorado the early edge.

Fort Lewis rallied back in the second stanza. While each team recorded 12 kills in the set, Colorado Christian committed eight attack errors compared to just three from their opponents. The Cougars pieced together a .138 hitting percent but the Skyhawks registered a .273 mark.

The Cougars retook the match lead with a critical third set win. They raced out to a 16-9 lead only to see the Skyhawks pull their deficit down to 20-18. None the less, Colorado Christian put together four unanswered points before clinching the set on a Mackenzie Close kill.

Colorado Christian held the early lead in the fourth frame before the home team took an 18-16 lead. After a Cougars timeout, they rallied by scoring eight straight points to end the match's drama.

COUGAR LEADERS: A trio of Colorado Christian attackers led the offense. Close had a team high 12 kills while Breanna Allen chipped-in 11. Lilly Woods was just behind them as the freshman recorded nine.

Izzy Jones recorded her third double-double of the season with 33 assists and 11 digs. Madelyn Long added 18 digs with Alli Douglass contributing 12.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• For the fourth time this season, the Cougars had more service aces (8) than errors (7)
• Colorado Christian had four service aces in both the first and fourth sets
• Fort Lewis hit -.026 in the final set

UP NEXT: The Cougars conclude their road swing with a another critical match on Saturday evening against Western Colorado at 6:00 p.m.