DENVER, CO- Colorado Christian headed to crosstown rival MSU Denver on Tuesday evening for a non-conference pod play matchup inside the Auraria Event Center. The Cougars kept it close throughout each set, but in the end fell in straight sets to the Roadrunners.
MSU Denver built an early 9-4 lead in set one, but CCU clawed their way back to within three at 18-15 after kills by
Sierra Crist and
Suzanna Conner and a
Krista Traynor ace. Traynor and
Ana Aguilar would bring things within two at 22-20 with a block, but the hosts ultimately took the set 25-22.
Another early run by the Roadrunners saw them take a 9-3 advantage in set two, but the Cougars showed their resiliency as they climbed back with a four-point run led by a Conner kill and a block by
Jenna Bell and Conner as things stood at 14-13. A
Sienna Thatcher slam and
Allie Allen ace would eventually tie the set at 16-16, but a long closing run from MSUD took the score from a one point lead at 20-19 to a 25-19 set win.
Connelly Kilgore picked up an early ace, and Bell and Conner once again comboed for a block to make it 4-1 Cougars in the early going of set three. A Thatcher ace and Aguilar kill sent the score to 8-6 before MSU Denver leveled things and a back and forth set ensued. A Conner kill tied the set at 20 apiece, but once again the Roadrunners showed their closing skill by scoring five of the last six points of the match as they won 25-21 for the straight set victory.
Conner and Thatcher led with seven kills apiece followed by Traynor with six. Traynor dished out 16 assists while
Kendra Runyon had 11. Bell notched five blocks and Conner had four, while Traynor picked up 14 digs and Allen had 11.
The Cougars will return home for a pod play matchup against nearby Colorado School of Mines on September 25 at 6 p.m. MST inside the CCU Event Center.
