DURANGO, Colo. – Despite a dominant performance from sophomore middle blocker Caroline Munson and a season-high 36 digs from Alyx Daugherty, the Fort Lewis College volleyball team came up just short in a five-set battle against Adams State University on Friday evening, falling 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 24-26, 13-15) inside Whalen Gymnasium.
The Skyhawks (10-9, 4-5 RMAC) held a 2-1 advantage and came within two points of closing out the match in the fourth set before the Grizzlies (12-9, 6-3 RMAC) rallied to force a decisive fifth frame. The loss came despite Fort Lewis holding advantages in kills, digs, and hitting percentage.
Munson delivered one of her strongest offensive performances of the season, leading all players with 16 kills on an efficient .406 hitting percentage while adding six total blocks. Freshman Sydney Vogel followed with 14 kills and 13 digs for a double-double, while senior Ellie Ames contributed 10 kills on .364 hitting.
Daugherty anchored the defensive effort with a match-high 36 digs, while senior setter Addie Garn directed the offense with 48 assists, eight digs, and two service aces.
Fort Lewis finished the evening hitting .178 with 64 kills, 81 digs and 10 total blocks. Adams State countered with 62 kills on .165 hitting, 79 digs and 16 blocks, using its advantage at the net to secure the narrow victory.
For Adams State, Sienna Markovich led the offensive effort with 14 kills on .286 hitting, followed by Carolisa Folau with 13 and Lizzie MacIntosh with 12. Rowan Tribelhorn anchored the Grizzlies at the net with seven total blocks, while Ashlyn Jones collected a team-high 22 digs.
Set One: Fort Lewis 25, Adams State 23
The opening set featured a tightly contested battle as both teams traded momentum throughout the frame.
Fort Lewis established an early offensive rhythm behind its middle blockers, with Ames and Munson providing production at the net. The Skyhawks recorded 14 kills in the opening set while limiting Adams State to a .122 hitting percentage.
The two teams remained within striking distance down the stretch, but Fort Lewis executed in the closing points to claim a 25-23 victory and take an early 1-0 advantage.
Set Two: Adams State 25, Fort Lewis 23
Adams State responded with a more efficient offensive performance in the second frame, hitting .333 with 14 kills and just four attacking errors.
Fort Lewis continued to battle behind its balanced attack, recording 13 kills, but the Grizzlies capitalized on their offensive opportunities to secure a narrow 25-23 victory and even the match at one set apiece.
Set Three: Fort Lewis 25, Adams State 20
The Skyhawks delivered their strongest offensive performance of the evening in the third set, hitting an impressive .406 with 16 kills against just three errors on 32 attempts.
Fort Lewis found success through its middle attack, with Munson and Ames helping establish control at the net while Garn distributed the offense.
The Skyhawks limited Adams State to a .138 hitting percentage and 10 kills, pulling away for a 25-20 victory to reclaim a 2-1 match advantage.
Set Four: Adams State 26, Fort Lewis 24
With an opportunity to close out the match, Fort Lewis battled through another tightly contested frame as the Grizzlies fought to keep their comeback hopes alive.
The Skyhawks recorded 13 kills but struggled to maintain the offensive efficiency displayed in the previous set, hitting .087 with nine attacking errors.
Adams State capitalized on the opportunities, recording 15 kills and holding off Fort Lewis in the closing points for a 26-24 victory to force a decisive fifth set.
Set Five: Adams State 15, Fort Lewis 13
The final frame delivered another closely contested battle as both teams fought for the conference victory.
Fort Lewis registered eight kills in the shortened set, matching Adams State's offensive production, but the Grizzlies committed just three attacking errors compared to five for the Skyhawks.
With neither side able to establish a comfortable advantage, Adams State executed in the final moments to claim a 15-13 victory and complete the five-set comeback.
Up Next
Fort Lewis will look to bounce back on Saturday, Oct. 17, when the Skyhawks welcome New Mexico Highlands University to Whalen Gymnasium for a 3 p.m. RMAC matchup.
The Skyhawks will seek a season sweep of the Cowgirls after earning a straight-set victory in their first meeting on Sept. 25.
Fort Lewis will remain at home the following week for RMAC Power Pod competition, hosting Adams State on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. before facing Colorado Christian on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 4 p.m.
Live statistics and streaming information are available at goskyhawks.com.
