Box Score

PUEBLO, Colo. — For the third time this week, the Fort Lewis College volleyball team (9-5 overall, 3-3 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) needed five sets to hold off their opponent, this time Colorado State University-Pueblo (4-7, 1-4).

"While we struggled to finish in three, the team showed an amazing amount of heart and determination to get it done in five," said seventh-year FLC head coach Shelly Aaland. "This is after the marathon match from last night that wore them out a bit. I am proud of the effort to get the result."

After winning nailbiters in the first two sets (25-23, 25-22), the Skyhawks appeared on the brink of sweeping the ThunderWolves with a 23-17 lead in the third set. But five straight attack errors by FLC and an ace by CSUP's Tamia Herholz tied the score at 23-23. Two straight kills — by Ashley Wilkinson and Gina Abbott — gave the Thunderwolves a 26-24 win and forced a fourth set.

The home team continued its strong play in the fourth set, winning 25-18 to set the stage for a back-and-forth finale.

Each team had lengthy runs in the fifth, but FLC pulled ahead for good at 12-11 on a Hannah Starbuck kill. A setting error by CSUP's Tasha Greer and kills by Jessica Wilson and Chelsea Flaming were enough to give the Skyhawks a 15-12 win.

Wilson led FLC with 14 kills, 10 digs and a .282 attack percentage. Flaming added 12 kills, 11 digs and five blocks. Taylor Hillberry had 11 kills and three blocks.

Herholz had 14 kills for the ThunderWolves, but also had 13 attack errors.

After opening conference play with five road games and just one on their home court, the Skyhawks return to Whalen Gymnasium for three straight home matches, including a pair next weekend: at 7 p.m. Friday against New Mexico Highlands (4-10 overall, 0-5 RMAC) and at 7 p.m. Saturday against Western New Mexico (6-4, 4-1).