PUEBLO, Colo./LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Riding a four-game winning streak and in sole possession of eighth place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference standings, the Fort Lewis College volleyball team will try to secure a tournament bid this week when they play at CSU-Pueblo on Friday at 7 p.m. and then against New Mexico Highlands on Saturday at 6 p.m.
The Skyhawks are 8-11 overall and 8-7 in RMAC play, currently holding a two-game lead over Adams State for the eighth spot. FLC is also just a game back of UC-Colorado Springs in seventh at 9-6 and two back of Colorado Christian in sixth at 10-5. If the Skyhawks were to win their final three games, they could climb as high as sixth depending on results. If FLC wins both games this week regardless of other results, they will clinch a spot in the tournament.
The Skyhawks are coming off an epic 3-2 win over Colorado Mesa at home this past Saturday. Prior to that, FLC started off the week with a sweep of Western Colorado. Middle blocker Tye Wedhorn earned RMAC Defensive Player of the Week after posting 18 blocks, including 11 in the five-set win over the Mavericks.
Haley Christiansen leads the offense with 198 kills, followed by 173 from Bailey Longacre and 122 from Wedhorn. Kendra Swackenberg has dished out 466 assists, while on defense Megan Graefe has 279 digs, followed by 273 from Christiansen. Wedhorn has sent back 47 blocks and both Longacre and Maddie LeBlanc are tied for second with 37.
As a team, FLC ranks high in a few RMAC categories including second in digs per set (16.87), 101st nationally, sixth in team attacks per set (37.04), 99th nationally and ninth in blocks per set (1.62), hitting percentage (.182) and eighth in win-loss percentage (.421). Individually, Swackenberg is 11th in assists per set (6.96), Christiansen is third in the RMAC and 76th nationally in attacks per set (10.26) and 11th in total attacks (708). Wedhorn is 10th in blocks per set (0.89), fourth in the RMAC and 38th nationally in hitting percentage (.365). Graefe is seventh in digs per set (4.36).
FLC will face CSU-Pueblo first after rolling to a 3-0 win back on Sep. 29 in Durango. Christiansen had a double-double with 10 kills and 14 digs, Swackenberg had 29 assists, Wedhorn and LeBlanc had three blocks and Graefe dug up 19 balls.
Although the ThunderWolves are 5-19 overall and 3-12 in RMAC play, they posted a 3-0 win last time out against Westminster and nearly upset Dixie State the night before, falling just short in five. Brooke Schilling leads the offense with 256 kills, while Mallorie Post adds 167. Grace Hern has 590 assists, while on defense Page Heller has 440 digs and Berkley Hays has sent back 48 blocks.
To close the trip, FLC will play at New Mexico Highlands on Saturday night. The two teams played a thrilling five-setter back on Sep. 28 in Durango with the Skyhawks taking the win. Christiansen collected another double-double in that match with 18 kills and 15 digs. Longacre added 16 kills and Ohiyah Shirley with 13. Wedhorn had five blocks, Swackenberg dished out 51 assists and Graefe had 30 digs.
The Cowgirls are 7-16 overall and 5-10 in RMAC play. They also defeated Westminster 3-0 and then fell in four to Dixie State. Tiffany Matchett leads the offense with 239 kills, followed by 194 from Cynthia Norris. Celina Naranjo has 418 assists, while on defense, Elena Rivera has 312 digs, Matchett adds 294 and Taley Ferrari has sent back 53 blocks.
Live video and stats will be available for both games.
