LAKEWOOD, CO – Colorado Christian continued their home play with a visit from the Westminster Griffins for the second time this season. The Cougars dominated offensively to close out the game in a sweep, earning their second victory over the Griffins
Both teams started the match strong, alternating points, with
Renee Phillips earning herself two stuff blocks and
Izzy Jones adding an offensive kill herself. Despite the Cougars strong presence, Westminster took the early lead of 12-8. A kill from
Abby Newell and a block from
Megan McNitt, brought the Cougars back to tie the set 12-12, and force a Griffin timeout. The teams continued with strong rallies, but a kill from McNitt and an ace from Suzanna Connor, put the Cougars on top leading 18-14. A couple of strong kills from the Griffins brought the game back to 19-18 with the Cougar advantage, and Jones added yet another offensive kill to increase the lead 20-18. While the match continued its natural exchange of points,
Lilly Woods added a kill and a block to bring the Cougars 24-21 and Woods slammed one more kill to win set one 25-21.
Starting the second set, Phillips, Newell, and Woods all came out aggressive and each added a kill on the board and the Cougars took the early lead of 6-3. The Griffins played aggressive to bring the set to a one-point difference, but
Shelby Hernandez dominated defensively to keep play alive which lead to a kill from Newell. Hernandez then came with an ace, and a stuff block from Jones and Woods increased the Cougar lead to 13-8. Lilly woods pounded two more kills to make it a five-point game, Cougar advantage 15-10. Westminster responded and closed the gap, but Jones continued to a be a strong force at the net with a stuff block to make it 19-16, and an already impressive Newell added yet another kill and block to her resume to put the Cougars only four points away from capturing the set. While the Griffins never led up, the Cougars ultimately closed the set with a momentous kill from McNitt, 25-21.
Westminster not ending their fight took the early lead in set three 1-3, but back-to-back kills from Newell brought the set back to even slate of 3-3 and an offensively hot Woods put the Cougars on top 4-3. A few dynamic plays extended the Cougar lead to 11-6, and Jones added her third offensive kill to bring it to 14-8. The Cougars hot, extended their lead to 18-13, and a dynamic Westminster team continually brought the pressure. CCU kept their composure with multiple kills and blocks from Phillips to make it 23-16 and a forceful ending kill by Phillips put the Cougars on top with another RMAC victory of 25-16.
Newell and Wood both had an outstanding night collecting 12 and 10 kills, and Phillips protected her net with an impressive 9 blocks. Jones and Hernandez dominated the backline with 15 digs and Jones added another 33 assists to her overall career.
The Cougars will be back on their home court to continue RMAC play November 8th at 5 pm MST against South Dakota Mines.
