DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College volleyball team returns to Whalen Gymnasium this week for a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Power Pod, welcoming Adams State University and Colorado Christian University for three matches across three days.
The Skyhawks open the weekend against Adams State on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. before closing out the pod against Colorado Christian on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 4 p.m. Adams State and Colorado Christian will meet in a neutral-site contest on Friday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m.
Fort Lewis (11-9, 5-5 RMAC) enters the weekend looking to build momentum following a split in its most recent homestand. While the Power Pod matches count toward each team's overall record, the results will not impact RMAC standings or conference records.
The Skyhawks have enjoyed success inside Whalen Gymnasium this season, compiling a 4-1 home record, and will look to carry that momentum into the final weeks of the regular season.
Last Time Out
Fort Lewis split its two home matches last weekend, falling to Adams State in five sets before bouncing back with a four-set victory over New Mexico Highlands.
The Skyhawks responded with an impressive offensive showing against the Cowgirls, led by senior Alina Nunez, who finished with a match-high 20 kills. Sophomore Caroline Munson added 16 kills, while senior Jordan DeJesus contributed 12.
Junior setter Addie Garn directed the offense with 52 assists, adding 12 digs and three service aces. Sophomore libero Alyx Daugherty anchored the defensive effort with 27 digs.
The victory improved Fort Lewis to 11-9 overall and 5-5 in RMAC play.
Garn Earns RMAC Setter of the Week Honors
Junior Addie Garn enters the weekend following her selection as the RMAC Setter of the Week, recognizing her performance during the Skyhawks' recent homestand.
Operating Fort Lewis' new 5-1 offensive system, Garn has taken on an expanded role directing the Skyhawks' attack and creating opportunities for the team's offensive leaders. Garn highlighted the weekend with 52 assists against New Mexico Highlands, averaging 13.0 assists per set in the four-set victory. She also recorded 12 digs and three service aces, contributing on both sides of the ball.
Her performance helped Fort Lewis produce three players with double-digit kills, including Nunez, Munson and DeJesus.
Scouting Adams State
Adams State enters the Power Pod with a 12-10 overall record and a 6-4 mark in RMAC play, placing the Grizzlies in a tie for sixth in the conference standings. The Grizzlies have proven particularly effective away from Alamosa, compiling a 5-2 conference road record.
Offensively, Adams State averages 12.5 kills and 11.4 assists per set while hitting .178 as a team. The Grizzlies have accumulated 1,061 kills and 971 assists through 22 matches, complemented by 124 service aces.
Carolisa Folau leads the offensive attack with 233 kills, followed by Aubrey Rothermich with 199 and Lizzie Macintosh with 172. Sienna Markovich has contributed 151 kills, while Rowan Tribelhorn adds 134, providing Adams State with several options at the net.
Isabella DeLaRosa directs the Grizzlies' offense with a team-high 630 assists, while Ellie Miller has contributed 206. DeLaRosa has also recorded 25 service aces, trailing only Folau's team-leading 26.
Defensively, Adams State averages 15.8 digs and 2.2 blocks per set, with 1,343 digs and 190 total blocks on the season. Ashlyn Jones anchors the back row with 395 digs, while DeLaRosa and Folau have added 190 and 189, respectively. Tribelhorn leads the blocking effort with 93 total blocks, followed by Rothermich with 57 and Katie Bauer with 56.
Thursday's matchup will mark the third meeting between Fort Lewis and Adams State this season. The Grizzlies claimed the first meeting in straight sets on Sept. 26 in Alamosa before earning a five-set victory in Durango on Oct. 16.
Scouting Colorado Christian
Colorado Christian enters the Power Pod with a 9-9 overall record and a 6-4 mark in RMAC play, tied with Adams State for sixth in the conference standings.
The Cougars are averaging 12.2 kills, 11.6 assists and 1.5 service aces per set while hitting .198 as a team. Through 18 matches, Colorado Christian has recorded 855 kills, 811 assists and 108 service aces.
Sienna Thatcher leads the Cougars with 193 kills, followed by Suzanna Conner with 170 and Connelly Kilgore with 143. Krista Traynor has added 122 kills, providing another offensive option while directing the team's attack. Traynor leads Colorado Christian with 492 assists, averaging 7.03 per set, and has contributed a team-high 27 service aces. Kendra Runyon follows with 155 assists, while Thatcher has added 19 aces.
Defensively, the Cougars average 15.0 digs and 1.9 blocks per set. Allie Allen leads the back row with 215 digs, averaging 3.36 per set, while Traynor has added 189 and Thatcher has contributed 134. Ana Aguilar leads the blocking effort with 47 total blocks, averaging 1.24 per set, followed by Conner with 39 and Jenna Bell with 34. Aguilar's presence at the net provides the Cougars with a strong defensive option against opposing attacks.
Colorado Christian enters the weekend following an impressive straight-set victory over UCCS on Saturday, Oct. 17. The Cougars hit .341 in the victory, led by Conner and Thatcher with 11 kills apiece, while Kilgore added eight. Traynor distributed 38 assists across three sets, and Aguilar recorded six blocks.
Saturday's matchup will be the first of two meetings between Fort Lewis and Colorado Christian over the final weeks of the regular season, with the Cougars scheduled to return to Whalen Gymnasium on Friday, Nov. 6.
Around the RMAC
The race for the RMAC Tournament continues to take shape as the conference schedule moves into its final weeks. MSU Denver leads the standings at 9-1, while Colorado School of Mines, Colorado Mesa and UCCS are tied for second at 8-2. South Dakota Mines follows in fifth at 7-3.
Adams State and Colorado Christian are tied for sixth at 6-4, while Fort Lewis sits eighth at 5-5. The Skyhawks hold a one-match advantage over Western Colorado, CSU Pueblo and Black Hills State, which are tied at 4-6.
Up Next
Following the Power Pod, Fort Lewis returns to the road for two RMAC matches, facing MSU Denver on Friday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. in Denver before traveling to Colorado Springs for a Saturday, Oct. 31, matchup against UCCS at 3 p.m.
Fans can follow this week's action through live statistics and the RMAC Network, with links available at goskyhawks.com.
