GRAND JUNCTION, CO – Looking to pull off a big upset and advance in the RMAC Tournament, Colorado Christian put a scare into national ranked MSU Denver.
Despite winning the first set then challenging the No. 3 Roadrunners in another, the Cougars season came to a close as they dropped a 3-1 decision (21-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-17) on Thursday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Cougars jumped out to a 16-8 lead in the opening set. However, the Roadrunners chipped away at their deficit and pulled within 21-20. Colorado Christian was undeterred as they won the first set on a Kylar Raymond kill.
In the second stanza MSU Denver never trailed and methodically pulled away to tie the match at one set each. During that frame the Roadrunners hit .455 with 22 of their points coming from a kill.
Colorado Christian's chances at an upset looked to be on the up-and-up as they held a 19-14 edge in the third set. However, MSU Denver tied the frame at 20-20 before winning five of the next six points to seize control of the contest.
Similar to their second set victory, MSU Denver meticulously grew their lead. After a handful ties on the scoreboard, the Roadrunners took a 12-9 lead and grew that to 20-13 before sealing the match and moving onto the RMAC tournament semifinal round vs. CSU Pueblo. The Roadrunners tallied a .615 hitting percentage in that stanza.
COUGAR LEADERS: Breanna Allen had a team best 12 kills while hitting .312 from her outside hitter position. Jacey Johnson closed out her collegiate career with a nine-kill performance.
Maddie Burns finishes her senior campaign with 28 assists and four digs while Christa Tucker had 10 digs at the libero spot.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- MSU Denver won the blocking battle 14.0-2.0
- The Roadrunners had 15 service errors
- Colorado Christian has made the RMAC Tournament in five of the last six seasons
UP NEXT: The Cougars season comes to a close as they regroup for a "normal looking" 2021 fall season.
Colorado Christian Match Highlights (courtesy of CMU Athletics)
