Box score
DURANGO, Colo. — Ashley Wells exploded for 19 kills and 18 digs as Fort Lewis (9-7 overall, 5-3 in the
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) defeated Chadron State (3-14, 1-7) in a two-plus-hour, four-set thriller in Whalen Gymnasium tonight. In the end, FLC prevailed 19-25, 25-19, 29-27, 25-23.
“It was a well-fought match and was very scrappy,” said ninth-year FLC head coach Shelly Aaland. “I was proud of out-blocking and out-digging them in both categories. It was a good way to start out versus the East.”
Wells was consistent throughout, recording between three and six kills in each frame. She hit a respectable .222, but most of her nine hitting errors came from back row attacks. Wells added six blocks (one solo) and a pair of assists. She recorded season highs in kills (19), digs (18), blocks (six – also a career best), and assists (two).
“Ashley had a highlight match. I liked her aggressiveness,” said Aaland.
Stephani Sonka (12 kills),
Kristin Stephan (10 kills, five blocks), and
Taylor Frederking (five kills, three blocks) also factored into FLC's offense. Setter
Ciara Krening notched 45 assists.
Defense was strong for the Skyhawks, who recorded 78 digs.
Jenna Kinzer led the way with 22, followed by Wells (18), Krening (16), and
Lindley Gallegos (10).
Aaland went deep into her roster, with 11 players seeing action on Parent's Night.
Mollie Jones (11 kills, 10 digs) and Erika Roybal (11 kills, 13 digs) each notched double-doubles for the Eagles.
While Fort Lewis led every major statistical category — kills (52-49), assists (49-41), digs (78-71), service aces (5-1), and blocks (10-6), the gritty Eagles were relentless and somewhat unfortunate in the outcome.
Chadron State led the all-important third set 24-22 before a kill from FLC's
Hannah Starbuck and a hitting error by CSC's Jessica Jester knotted things up at 24-24. Fort Lewis staved off two more game points before a Wells kill and a block by Wells and Frederking sealed the Eagles' fate 29-27.
In the fourth set, Fort Lewis took an early 10-4 lead before the Eagles climbed back into the match. Chadron state eventually tied the score at 18-18 and 19-19 before FLC reeled off four straight points with kills by Wells, Sonka, and Frederking. The Eagles closed the gap to 24-23 on a Roybal kill before Sonka ended the game and sent the Homecoming crowd home happy.
The Skyhawks improved to 21-8 in the all-time series with the Eagles 20-8, including victories in the past six meetings. FLC leads 10-2 all-time in Whalen Gymnasium.
Fort Lewis continues its four-game homestand against RMAC East teams next Friday and Saturday, when it hosts Colorado Christian (14-5, 5-4) and No. 15 Colorado Mines (14-4, 8-1).
The Skyhawks trail in the all-time series against Colorado Christian and have dropped the past two, including a three-set loss at Oklahoma Panhandle State's tournament on the first weekend of the 2012 season.
Fort Lewis leads the all-time series with Colorado Mines, but has dropped the past five to the Orediggers.
