Box score

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — Outside hitters Ashley Wells and Hannah Starbuck each notched double-doubles as Fort Lewis (11-15 overall, 7-11 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) defeated New Mexico Highlands (6-22, 2-16) 25-21, 25-22, 22-25, 25-22 tonight at the John A. Wilson Complex.
 
“It was a typical highlands match,” said ninth-year FLC head coach Shelly Aaland. “Big scoring swings. Just sloppy play. We gave too many points on our errors.”
 
Still, the Skyhawks managed to avenge a costly early-season loss to the Cowgirls on FLC's home court. NMHU managed to win the Sept. 15 match at Whalen Gymnasium 25-22, 18-25, 15-25, 25-12, 15-10.
 
The difference tonight? Fort Lewis showed resiliency.
 
“We were down in every single set and came back in three of them to win,” said Aaland. “We were down 21-18 in the fourth set and came back to win 25-22. Whenever that switch clicks over, this team is very poised and determined to get the job done and we did that tonight.”
 
Wells led the Skyhawks with 17 kills, 13 digs and 2 blocks, while her fellow outside hitter Starbuck joined her in the double-double club with 12 digs and 10 kills. Right side hitter Stephani Sonka added 10 kills.
 
Aaland switched middle blockers Taylor Frederking and Ashley Wells periodically. “Taylor had a good match. She had eight kills and three blocks,” said the Skyhawk skipper. “Ellis had six kills and four blocks, including the game-winner on a solo block.”
 
Libero Jenna Kinzer recorded 25 digs.
 
Aaland also alternated between 6-2 and standard 5-1 offenses. “We ran a 6-2 for most of the match and it really went well. Then we switched to a 5-1 midway through the third set. While we did give up some height in the blocking, the rhythm was good. It definitely provided a good spark.
 
She commended backup right side hitter Audrey Guiberson (four kills, two blocks) for her energy. “Audrey did especially well,” said Aaland.
 
Dairan Mullen was the lone Cowgirl to record double-digit kills with 14. Katie Saveedra had 24 digs.
 
Fort Lewis dominated most of the statistical categories, out-killing NMHU (56-43), out-digging them (73-63) and hitting with more efficiency (.193 to .113). The Cowgirls did win the battle at the net, out-blocking FLC 12-9.
 
The victory, coupled with Colorado State-Pueblo's straight-set loss to Colorado Mesa tonight, locked up ninth place in the RMAC regular season standings for the Skyhawks — a vast improvement over last year's 13th place finish, but still three games off the race for the league playoffs. Fort Lewis has also more than doubled it's victory output of five games in 2011.
 
The Skyhawks and CSU-Pueblo (14-15, 5-13) close out their seasons at 7 p.m. tomorrow night at Massari Arena. Fort Lewis swept the ThunderWolves 25-22, 25-17, 25-18 in Whalen Gymnasium on Sept. 14.