COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The Westminster women's volleyball team began its season splitting on the road against the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs on Friday, Jan. 22. The Griffins recorded their first ever win over UCCS, defeating the Mountain Lions 3-1 in the second set.
Westminster (1-1, 0-1 RMAC) was originally scheduled to begin the season with games against Chadron State and UCCS. Due to COVID-19 testing and protocols, the schedule was altered for the Griffins and Mountain Lions to play a double-header. The first match counted as a conference match with the second match counting as a non-conference competition.
"It was a total team effort," Head Coach
Karrin Moore said. "It was great to see everyone working so hard and so well together."
Match 1: WC 2 UCCS 3
The season began with a close five-set match. After losing the opening set, 23-25, the Griffins won the second (25-23) and third sets (25-18) to lead 2-1. UCCS won the fourth (25-23) and fifth (15-10).
Audrey Green,
Malinda Messner and
Maya Hamaoka combined for 44 of Westminster's 68 points. Green led the team with 20 points, 16 kills and 46 attempts. Messner recorded 13.5 points with 12 kills and Hamaoka recorded 10.5 with 10 kills.
Holland Vande Merwe led the team17 digs.
Bri Mortensen had 10 digs and Green and
Katana Montford each had eight digs.
Katie Jacox and Mortensen set for 33 assists. Mortensen had 25 assists, one service ace and one block assist. Jacox recorded 18 assists and two block assists.
Match 2: WC 3 UCCS 1
The Griffins won the opening set by its largest margin for the second time, 25-18. UCCS won the second match, (25-21) then loss sets three (25-22) and four (25-21) for the Griffins first ever win over the Mountain Lions.
Messner, Miller and Jacox led the team in kills, each with seven, and points. Messner recorded 10.5 points, Miller recorded 10 and Jacox recorded 9. Messner also had a team-high three block assists and a block solo.
Vande Merwe, Mortensen and Green led the team with 19, 10 and nine digs respectively. Mortensen also led the team with a team-high 28 assists, had one block solo and two black assists.
Westminster is home next weekend against Western Colorado University and Colorado Mesa on Saturday. Games will be streamed on the RMAC Network and GriffinTv.
