DURANGO, Colo. – Behind a season-high 104 digs and a dominant defensive performance in the deciding set, the Fort Lewis College volleyball team outlasted Adams State University in a five-set battle (25-27, 27-25, 25-19, 20-25, 15-7) on Thursday evening inside Whalen Gymnasium.
The Skyhawks improved to 12-9 overall and remain 5-5 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, while the Grizzlies fell to 12-11 overall and 6-4 in league action.
Sophomore libero Alyx Daugherty anchored the defensive effort with a season-high 37 digs, while freshman Sydney Vogel added 19. Junior setter Addie Garn recorded 12 digs to complete a double-double alongside 55 assists, and Alina Nunez and Emery Pomroy chipped in 10 digs apiece.
The Skyhawks finished with five players in double figures in digs, holding Adams State to a .151 hitting percentage across five sets. Fort Lewis was especially effective in the fifth, limiting the Grizzlies to three kills and a -.158 hitting percentage to seal the victory.
Offensively, Nunez led the way with 18 kills and 10 digs for a double-double, followed by Caroline Munson with 15 kills on a .323 hitting percentage. Jordan DeJesus contributed 11 kills, while Ellie Ames added 10 kills on a .304 clip, three service aces, and four total blocks.
Fort Lewis totaled 71 kills, 68 assists, seven service aces, and nine blocks in the win.
Set One – Adams State 27, Fort Lewis 25
Adams State jumped ahead early and built a 20-12 advantage before Fort Lewis mounted a late comeback. The Skyhawks chipped away at the deficit behind timely kills and a strong service run from Ames, who delivered back-to-back aces to help Fort Lewis erase the eight-point deficit and take a 25-24 lead. The Grizzlies responded with three consecutive points to escape with the opening set, 27-25.
Set Two – Fort Lewis 27, Adams State 25
The Grizzlies again controlled the early going, racing to a 10-3 lead before Fort Lewis began to claw its way back. Trailing 23-20 late, the Skyhawks rattled off three straight points to even the score. Munson came through in the biggest moments, delivering three kills across the final four Fort Lewis points, including consecutive finishes to secure the 27-25 victory and even the match at one set apiece.
Set Three – Fort Lewis 25, Adams State 19
Fort Lewis carried its momentum into the third set, opening a 7-2 advantage behind kills from Nunez and Munson and a service ace from Vogel. Adams State battled back to briefly take a 16-14 lead, but the Skyhawks responded with four consecutive points to regain control. Fort Lewis closed the set on a 7-1 run, capped by a block from Ames and Nunez, to take a 2-1 advantage in the match.
Set Four – Adams State 25, Fort Lewis 20
The teams traded points throughout the early stages of the fourth set, with Fort Lewis holding a narrow 17-16 advantage before Adams State made its move. The Grizzlies capitalized on late Skyhawk errors and pulled away to force a decisive fifth set.
Set Five – Fort Lewis 15, Adams State 7
With the match on the line, the Skyhawks delivered their strongest defensive set of the evening. Fort Lewis held Adams State to a -.158 hitting percentage, forcing six attack errors against just three kills. The Skyhawks took command of the shortened frame and never looked back, cruising to a 15-7 victory in front of 448 fans at Whalen Gymnasium.
Up Next
Fort Lewis will wrap up RMAC Power Pod play on Saturday, Oct. 24, hosting Colorado Christian University at 4 p.m. inside Whalen Gymnasium. The Skyhawks will then return to conference action next weekend, traveling to MSU Denver on Friday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. and UCCS on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 3 p.m. Fans can follow the action through live statistics and the RMAC Network, with links available at goskyhawks.com.
