SALT LAKE CITY - Westminster volleyball (2-6, 0-1 RMAC) fell in its home opener, 3-0, to 24th-ranked Colorado Mesa (6-3, 1-1 RMAC) as the Mavericks put up a .457 attack percentage in the third to close out the Griffins in straight sets at the Behnken Field House.  The Griffins will hope to rebound on Saturday as they host 11th-ranked Colorado School of Mines at 4 p.m. (MDT).

Westminster battled to keep each set close during the early stages, but the CMU attack proved relentless as the Mavericks hit .328 on the night.  CMU had just two attack errors in the opening set and used an 8-0 run to open up a 13-7 lead in the first set.  Westminster fought back with a 6-1 run of its own but the Mavericks later pulled away with their consistent offense and a pair of late service aces to win the first, 25-17.

The Griffins edged out an 11-8 lead but fell behind on another 6-0 Mavericks' run.  Westminster responded with five unanswered points and the teams traded momentum swings to the tune of a 22-22 tied score.  CMU would go on to finish the second on a 4-1 run, however, to put the Griffins behind, 2-0.

CMU's offense picked up its efficiency another notch in the third, finishing with 20 kills on 35 attempts in the third (.457) en route to winning the final set, 25-14.

Westminster returns to action tomorrow as it welcomes No. 11 Colorado School of Mines into Behnken Field House.  First serve between the Griffins and Orediggers is scheduled for 4 p.m. (MDT).

For all the latest Westminster Athletics scores, news and updates, follow us on social media or visit westminstergriffins.com.