Box Score

COLORADO SPRINGS – Fort Lewis College (6-3 overall, 0-1 RMAC) had five chances to put away UC-Colorado Springs in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference volleyball opener for both teams tonight at the Gallogly Events Center, but the Mountain Lions rallied for a five-set victory.

UC-Colorado Springs (7-3 overall, 1-0 RMAC) staved off five game points in the third set to grasp victory from the jaws of defeat, 18-25, 28-30, 28-26, 25-15, 15-6.

“Tonight was a missed opportunity,” said seventh-year FLC head coach Shelly Aaland. “We were up 24-21 and just didn't finish [the third set].

“We have three freshman starters right now, so in games like this their confidence level is still a work-in-progress.”

The Mountain Lions adjusted their rotation and blocking schemes in the third set, ultimately enabling them to befuddle the Skyhawks (6-3 overall, 0-1 RMAC) and dominate the final two sets.

UCCS middle blocker Nikki Kinzer, the older sister of FLC freshman libero Jenna Kinzer, led the charge with a triple double, recording 14 kills, 12digs and 12 blocks. Two of the elder Kinzer's kills came in the clutch, helping the Mountain Lions avert two game points and cut the third set margin to 24-23.

While blocking may have given UCCS a distinct advantage – they outblocked FLC 19-11 – it was serving that Aaland pointed to for the outcome.

“We gave away too many points,” she said. “We had 14 missed serves, and that's what I attribute our downfall to.”

Senior outside hitter Chelsea Flaming led the Skyhawks with 18 kills and a .324 hitting efficiency. Junior outside hitter Jessica Wilson added 17 digs, 14 kills and three blocks. Senior middle blocker Taylor Hillberry had nine kills and nine blocks, while senior setter Adriana Saiz had 50 assists and five kills. Jenna Kinzer led all players on either side with 20 digs.

The Skyhawks continue their three-game road trip to open RMAC play with matches in Denver against Metro St. (6-3, 1-0) at 7 p.m. Friday and at Regis (5-4, 1-0) at 4 p.m. Saturday. After opening the 2010 season with 11 road and neutral-site games, FLC will open its home slate at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21 against Colorado Christian (6-4, 1-0) in Whalen Gymnasium.