DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College volleyball team returns to the friendly confines of Whalen Gymnasium this weekend for a pair of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) matchups, welcoming Adams State University on Friday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. before hosting New Mexico Highlands University on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 3 p.m.

Friday's contest will serve as the Skyhawks' annual Pink Match as Fort Lewis looks to capitalize on home-court advantage and gain ground in the conference standings.

The Skyhawks (10-8, 4-4 RMAC) enter the weekend looking to bounce back from a challenging road trip while seeking redemption against the Grizzlies and a season sweep of the Cowgirls. Fort Lewis previously faced both opponents during the RMAC Regional Pod in late September, sweeping New Mexico Highlands before falling in straight sets to Adams State.

Last Time Out

Fort Lewis split its two road matches last week, earning a convincing 3-0 sweep of Western Colorado on Tuesday before falling to Colorado School of Mines in straight sets on Saturday.

Against the Mountaineers, the Skyhawks found their offensive rhythm to secure their fourth conference victory of the season. However, Fort Lewis struggled to sustain that momentum against the Orediggers, who used efficient attacking and a strong defensive presence to claim a 25-17, 25-13, 25-14 victory.

Senior Jordan DeJesus provided an offensive spark in the final set against Mines, but the Skyhawks were unable to overcome the Orediggers' balanced attack.

With the conference schedule approaching its midway point, Fort Lewis will look to regain consistency on both sides of the net as it opens an extended stretch of home competition.

Inside the Numbers

• 213 – Senior Alina Nunez leads the Skyhawks with 213 kills, averaging 3.44 per set while hitting .262. Nunez also ranks second on the team with 151 digs and has contributed 26 total blocks.

• 317 – Sophomore Alyx Daugherty leads Fort Lewis with 317 digs, averaging 5.11 per set. The defensive specialist also leads the team with 24 service aces and ranks third with 71 assists.

• 151 – Senior Jordan DeJesus ranks second on the team with 151 kills, averaging 2.52 per set. DeJesus has also recorded 113 digs and 11 service aces.

• 329 – Senior Addie Garn leads Fort Lewis with 329 assists, followed by sophomore Arianna Reyna with 263. The duo has combined for 592 assists this season.

• 111 – Sophomore Caroline Munson ranks third on the team with 111 kills and leads the Skyhawks in hitting percentage among regular attackers.

• 37 – Sophomore Ellie Ames leads Fort Lewis with 37 total blocks, followed by Munson with 30. Ames also ranks second on the team with 21 service aces.

• 12.53 – Fort Lewis averages 12.53 kills per set as a team, along with 15.85 digs and 1.77 blocks per set.

Scouting Adams State

Adams State (11-9, 5-3 RMAC) enters Friday's contest with momentum in the conference standings, having established itself among the league's competitive middle tier.

The Grizzlies earned a 3-0 victory over Fort Lewis on Sept. 26 in Alamosa, taking the match by scores of 25-20, 25-14 and 25-16. Adams State hit .273 in the victory while limiting the Skyhawks to a .036 attacking percentage.

Offensively, Carolisa Folau leads the Grizzlies with 210 kills, followed by Aubrey Rothermich with 189 and Lizzie MacIntosh with 141. Isabella DeLaRosa directs the offense with a team-high 577 assists while also leading Adams State with 23 service aces.

Defensively, Ashlyn Jones anchors the back row with 353 digs, while Rowan Tribelhorn leads the Grizzlies at the net with 78 total blocks. As a team, Adams State averages 12.4 kills, 15.6 digs and 2.2 blocks per set.

Friday's meeting provides Fort Lewis with an opportunity to even the season series and reverse the outcome of its previous matchup. The two teams are also scheduled to meet again on Oct. 22 as part of the RMAC Power Pod hosted in Durango.

Scouting New Mexico Highlands

New Mexico Highlands enters Saturday's matchup looking to gain traction in RMAC play after a difficult opening stretch of the conference schedule.

Aziza Morris leads the Cowgirls' offensive attack with 189 kills, followed by Lea Süsoy with 148 and Elise Fourt with 111. Marissa Sandoval-Moya and Camille Burton share setting responsibilities, recording 292 and 209 assists, respectively.

Süsoy also leads Highlands with 191 digs and 21 service aces, while Naya Dornic follows closely with 187 digs. At the net, Fourt leads the Cowgirls with 43 total blocks, followed by Duda Carvalho with 33.

The Cowgirls have demonstrated their ability to compete in extended matches, including a five-set victory over Chadron State on Oct. 3. Highlands captured the opening two sets before holding off the Eagles in the decisive fifth frame.

Fort Lewis will look to replicate its performance from Sept. 25, when the Skyhawks traveled to Las Vegas, New Mexico, and swept the Cowgirls in their first meeting of the season.

Saturday's contest offers the Skyhawks an opportunity to complete the regular-season sweep and build momentum heading into the following week's home matches.

Around the RMAC

The race for positioning in the RMAC standings continues to tighten as teams move deeper into October. Colorado Mesa, MSU Denver and UCCS have established themselves among the league's leaders, while Colorado School of Mines, Adams State and Colorado Christian remain firmly in contention.

Fort Lewis enters the weekend with four conference victories and an opportunity to improve its position with two matches on its home floor.

The Skyhawks will remain in Durango the following week for RMAC Power Pod competition, facing Adams State on Thursday, Oct. 22, and Colorado Christian on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Up Next

Following this weekend's matches, Fort Lewis continues its homestand with the RMAC Power Pod at Whalen Gymnasium. The Skyhawks will host Adams State on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. before taking on Colorado Christian on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 4 p.m.

Fans can follow this weekend's action through live statistics and the RMAC Network, with links available at goskyhawks.com.