LAKEWOOD, CO – Colorado Christian took their home court again tonight, as they went up against the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers in another RMAC match-up. After a hard-fought battle, the Cougars fell to the visiting team in straight sets.   

The set started with the exchange of points between the two teams, but an overpass kill by Renee Phillips and double kills from Abby Newell gave the Cougars the early lead of 7-4. Lilly Woods went on to add triple kills to take the score to 11-9. The Hardrockers played a strong game to continue the back-and-forth nature of the game, to eventually take the lead, but the Cougars responded with kills from Newell and Phillips, as well as a block from Phillips and Izzy Jones to bring the score to an even 18-18. The Hardrockers continued to challenge the Cougars and despite a strong defensive fight, the Cougars dropped the first set 25-21.  

CCU came out strong to fight for the second set, but the Hardrockers took the early lead of 7-4. The Cougars, not giving up, fought hard with explosive kills from Phillips, Woods, and Newell to bring the game back 10-9, with the Hardrockers on top, and an impressive kill down the line from Suzanna Conner tied the set at 11-11. Both teams continued to play strong, continuing the exchange of points, but an ace from Megan McNitt gave the Cougars the lead 16-15, and an offensive kill from Jones as well as a stuff block from the Woods/Newell duo extended the lead to 18-16. The Hardrockers responded to go on a four-point run, which was squashed by another offensive kill from Jones, giving the Cougars the momentum and Phillips putting down two dominating kills to tie the set 24-24. Although the Cougars put up a strong fight, in the end they fell short in set two 27-25.

Determined to take this game to extra sets, the Cougars came out hot with double kills from Newell once again, and a block followed by a kill from Phillips to take the lead 6-4. Jones went on to add back-to-back offensive kills, and a couple of errors from the Hardrockers extended the Cougar lead 12-7. The Hardrocks were persistent on their side of the court to tie the set at 16-16, to start the race to 25. The last half of the set was a point-for-point battle, and although the Cougars gave it their all, they ultimately dropped the third set 25-20 to lose to the match.   

Phillips dominated in the middle with 10 kills and Jones added on 32 assists as well as picking up 15 digs and 4 offensive kills. Brooklyn Frazier and Kristina House controlled the serve receive game by tallying 17 and 15 service receptions, and Shelby Hernandez secured 14 digs.

The Cougars will continue their RMAC journey with another home match on November 9th at 5pm MST against Black Hills State.