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Natalia Lambos

Volleyball travels to Gunnison for final nonconference matches

9/12/2024 11:23:00 AM

By: Angela Roberts, Associate AD-Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – Skyhawks volleyball will stay in-state this week for the Western Colorado Volleyball Classic where they face Texas A&M Kingsville, (RV) Washburn University, Academy of Art, and Western New Mexico.  

Last Time Out
Fort Lewis came away from a challenging opening tournament with a 1-3 record. The team faced a pair of teams ranked or receiving votes in the national poll and two additional programs coming off successful 2023 campaigns. Fort Lewis opened the tournament with a gutsy five-set win over UT Permian Basin, led by fifth-year Lauren Shea who tallied 21 kills and 15 digs.

The Skyhawks went on the fall to Emmanuel University, (RV) Angelo State, and #23 (now #18) Central Oklahoma. Shea led the way by averaging 3.50 kills per set through four matches while junior Ella Butler was the most efficient outlet with a .329 hitting percentage. Butler was named to the All-Tournament team following the conclusion of day two. 

Scouting Texas A&M University-Kingsville
The Javelinas are 3-2 to begin the season with wins over Westminster (3-0), Southern Nazarene (3-1), and Missouri Southern (3-0). Kingsville fell in a midweek match against Adams State (3-1) last night. They were 21-11 last season with an 11-5 record in Lone Star Conference play and advanced to the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

The team is hitting at a .202 clip this season compared to a .203 mark for their opponents. Defense has been a bright spot as the Javelinas are outpacing the opposition in digs/set (14.5/12.8) and blocks/set (2.1/1.6). Four players are averaging over two kills per set, including Ayanna Jackson, a returning All-American, who is hitting at a .378 efficiency. Jackson is the leading blocker as well with 1.05 blocks/set. Elisa Carli and Madia Pena are coordinating a two-setter offense and combine for nearly 10 assists/set. Isabel Rodriguez has been locking down defense and leads the team with 4.7 digs per set.

Fort Lewis is 1-2 all-time against Kingsville. The teams last faced in 2019, and the Javelinas came away with a sweep on a neutral court in San Angelo, Texas.

Scouting (RV) Washburn University
The Ichabod's are 3-0 on the year following wins over Sioux Falls, Winona State, and William Jewell. Their unblemished record has the squad receiving votes in the most recent version of the AVCA National Poll. Washburn is coming off a 17-11 season in 2023 where they fell in the quarterfinal round of the MIAA Tournament.

Washburn is hitting .325 through three matches and holds their opponents to a .123 efficiency. The back row has been stout defensively (17.9 digs/set) and in serve receive where they have allowed just seven aces (.6/set). Balanced offense has been the name of the game this season, evident by six players averaging over two kills per set. Alex Dvorak leads the team with 2.82 kills per set and a staggering .472 efficiency. Three setters have seen time running the dynamic offense, including Corinna McMullen (7.18 assists/set) and Sydney Conner (4.2 assists/set). Taylor Rottinghaus has led the back row with 4.73 digs/set, followed by Jalyn Stevenson (All-American OH) at 3.91/set.

Fort Lewis is 0-4 all-time against Washburn, dating back to the series opener in 2001. The teams most recently faced in 2019 when Washburn earned a 3-0 win in Durango.

Scouting Academy of Art
The Urban Knights are 0-4 to begin the year after being swept by Chico State, Fresno Pacific, Stanislaus State, and Jessup. ART U is coming off a 5-22 season which saw them go 1-10 in road matches.

As a team, ART U is hitting .110 compared to a .218 mark for their opponents. Alohi Garcia leads the way with 2.83 kills/set, followed by Claire Ricard at 2.50. Elly McInerney is the primary setter and has averaged 7.42 assists per set this season. Three players average over two digs per set with LC-Reece Nakagawa leading the team at 2.83 digs/set.

Fort Lewis is 1-0 in the series history, winning the lone matchup in five sets all the way match in 2011.

Scouting Western New Mexico
The Mustangs hold a 2-2 record after an opening weekend at the Midwestern State Invitational. WNMU earned wins over Drury and Northwestern Oklahoma. They were 6-23 in 2023, including a 2-14 mark in LSC play and an 0-9 record on the road.

The team is hitting .147 on the year versus a .142 mark for their opponents. Jazmyne Walker has been the primary weapon on offense and has averaged 3.53 kills/set. Eimaya Medina is averaging over six assists per set to lead the team. On defense, it's Lilouann Beches who leads the way with an impressive mark of 5.13 digs per set.

Fort Lewis trails the all-time series 9-19 but has won the last two meetings. In the most recent matchup in 2022, the Skyhawks captured a 3-0 win. Alexis Hobie led the team with 15 kills.

Around the RMAC
The league has three teams ranked in the AVCA National Poll. MSU Denver leads the way at No. 3, followed by Colorado Mesa at No. 15. Both teams moved up following successful opening weekends. Regis fell to No. 24 after going 1-3. Three RMAC teams remain unbeaten at 4-0, including CSU Pueblo, MSU Denver, and UCCS.

Up next
Fort Lewis moves into Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play following this week's tournament. The Skyhawks remain on the road, first with a match against Westminster University on Friday, September 20. The team closes out the trip in Grand Junction on Saturday with a 4:00 PM first serve against #15 Colorado Mesa University.
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