Box score

DURANGO, Colo. — Fort Lewis (6-6 overall, 2-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) defeated Western New Mexico (4-9, 1-2) 25-22, 25-20, 16-25, 25-21 tonight in Whalen Gymnasium to halt a two-game skid and salvage a 2-2 homestand to start league play.
 
“We talked before the match that we had to survive this match and that's exactly what we did,” said ninth-year FLC head coach Shelly Aaland. “Western New Mexico is a scrappy, smart team and I was pleased that elements of our game slowed their game plan down … especially stopping number 2 (Angelina Pulu).”
 
Three Skyhawks notched double-digit kills — Ashley Wells (15), Stephani Sonka (11), and Kristin Stephan (11) — as setter Ciara Krening notched 40 assists.
 
“I was very satisfied with the set distribution from Ciara tonight, getting three players in double digits,” said Aaland.
 
As a team, Fort Lewis recorded 48 kills and hit a workmanlike .106. The Skyhawks also had 48 digs (Jenna Kinzer led the way with 15) and nine blocks (Ashley Ellis had six total blocks, two of which were solo).
 
“Our passing and defensive were good enough to neutralize our dismal serving performance,” said Aaland. The Skyhawks recorded 15 service errors and just three aces — one of which came when Western New Mexico was out of rotation.
 
The Mustangs can point to hitting errors for hurting their chances tonight. WNMU committed 34 errors while recording 34 kills, leading to a .000 hitting efficiency. The Mustangs also hit for a negative percentage in the first two sets.
 
One player who didn't struggle offensively was Heather Rux, who notched nine kills, six blocks, and a .500 hitting percentage. Pulu had eight kills but hit a -.028. Setter Alyssa Meihack recorded three of WNMU's four aces.
 
The Skyhawks hit the road next week for a pair of matches to wrap up the first third of league play. Fort Lewis travels to Western State Colorado (1-10, 0-3) at 7 p.m. Friday and to No. 25 Adams State (10-1, 3-0) at 7 p.m. next Saturday.