Box Score

DURANGO, Colo. – Thanks to clutch blocking with the game on the line, Fort Lewis College (7-5 overall, 1-3 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) rallied for a dramatic five-set victory over Colorado Christian University (8-5, 3-1) tonight in their home opener at Whalen Gymnasium.

Fort Lewis won 21-25, 25-16, 25-22, 23-25, 15-11 in their third five-set match in six days.

“We've been talking a lot about having confidence in our skills and trust in each other, so I'm happy we finally turned that corner,” said seventh-year Skyhawk head coach Shelly Aaland.

Trailing 8-5 in the deciding set, the Skyhawks blocked the Cougars four times to grab the lead, with freshman right side Taryn Pearce and senior middle blocker Taylor Hillberry inflicting the damage.

The Skyhawks received timely play from seniors (Hillberry, setter Adriana Saiz and outside hitter Chelsea Flaming) as well as their three freshmen starters (Pearce, middle blocker Kristin Stephan and libero Jenna Kinzer).

“Kristin took advantage of the balls that she got and was definitely not playing like a freshman with the choices she made,” Aaland said. Stephan led all Skyhawks with 18 kills and a .483 attack percentage, in addition to notching five blocks.

“Taryn is improving each time she gets out there,” Aaland said of her new right side. “She is definitely improving her right side defense, which is a new position for her.” Pearce had eight kills and a team-high seven blocks.

After the Cougars built a 5-1 lead in the fifth set, Flaming calmed the Skyhawks with precision passing and timely digs. “She shines under pressure like that,” Aaland said of her all-conference senior who had 17 kills and 21 digs. “That's why we always put her in the left front when we start the fifth set.”

While the Skyhawks rallied in the fifth set, it was Colorado Christian that pulled itself off the ropes in the first and fourth sets. Trailing 21-20 in the opening set, the Cougars reeled off five straight points to grab the early lead in the game. Erica Brown was largely responsible for the comeback, recording a kill and an ace during the 5-0 run.

The fourth set saw much of the same. Trailing 23-22, Brown recorded the game-tying kill before FLC attack errors sealed their fate and provided the crowd of 247 with fifth-set excitement.

“They're a much improved team from the past,” Aaland of the Cougars. “They went 3-0 last weekend against the RMAC West. It helps us measure up where we are compared to the other West teams.”

Andi Weber, who was named RMAC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, led the Cougars with 21 kills and a .395 attack percentage. Setter Lauren Rosenthal had 43 assists, 13 digs and a pair of blocks.

Fort Lewis' Saiz had 53 assists and 12 digs, while Hillberry had eight kills and seven blocks. Junior outside hitter Jessica Wilson added 10 kills and 15 digs.

The Skyhawks return to the road for a pair of RMAC matches this weekend, playing at Western State (5-5, 0-3) at 7 p.m. Friday and CSU-Pueblo (4-5, 1-2) at 7 p.m. Saturday.