Box score

DURANGO, Colo. — No. 25 Adams State (18-4 overall, 11-3 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) rolled past Fort Lewis (9-13, 5-9) in straight sets tonight at Whalen Gymnasium, 25-13, 25-12, 25-15 in a game that took just an hour and five minutes.
 
“We were outplayed in each category tonight,” said ninth-year FLC head coach Shelly Aaland, who saw her team drop its sixth straight match. “I had much higher expectations for my team after facing the East Division. I thought we were stronger mentally than we played tonight. I am disappointed that we weren't able to battle back with Adams. They are a very talented team. I believe we could have given them a battle, but we didn't show up tonight.
 
Led by junior setter Gabriella Rifilato (33 assists, two service aces) and freshman defensive specialist Katherine Rifilato (11 digs, two aces) — the daughters of FLC assistant football coach Ed Rifilato and Bayfield High School alumnae — the Grizzlies overcame a 10-9 deficit in the first set when the younger Rifilato reeled off 10 straight points with her powerful jump serve, giving ASU a 21-10 lead that FLC never rebounded from.
 
Dominique Davis had 10 kills, eight digs and three blocks for the Grizzlies, while Megan Tapia and Letisha Spencer had seven kills each.
 
Adams State notched 38 kills and a .280 hitting efficiency — in stark contrast to FLC's paltry offensive showing of 16 kills and a -.098 attack percentage. The Grizzlies also outdug the Skyhawks 44-23, notched six service aces to FLC's one, and won the blocking battle 7-3.
 
Kristin Stephan had five kills and two blocks for the Skyhawks. Stephani Sonka and Ashley Wells had four kills and one block apiece.
 
Fort Lewis hopes to right its ship when it goes pink tomorrow night in its annual Pink Digs for a Cure match. FLC hosts Western State Colorado (3-19, 2-12) at 7 p.m. in Whalen Gymnasium in the final home match of the season.
 
The Mountaineers come in hot, though, having upset Colorado Mesa 3-2 tonight in Grand Junction, Colo. (17-25, 25-23, 25-22, 16-25, 15-12).
 
Fort Lewis remains in ninth place in the race for the eight-team RMAC playoffs, two games behind Colorado Mesa.
 
“I expect a different team to show up tomorrow night to give our fans something to cheer for,” said Aaland.