COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Behind a season-high 103 digs and a balanced offensive effort, the Fort Lewis College volleyball team picked up one of its biggest wins of the season on Saturday afternoon, defeating UCCS in five sets (23-25, 28-26, 25-23, 16-25, 15-10) on the road.
The victory was a statement for Fort Lewis (13-11, 6-6 RMAC), which knocked off a UCCS squad (14-10, 9-3 RMAC) that entered the afternoon near the top of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference standings. Facing a Mountain Lions team with nine conference victories, the Skyhawks delivered when it mattered most, battling through extended rallies, pressure-packed points, and a decisive fifth set to secure a critical road win.
Defense was the difference for Fort Lewis, which amassed 103 digs, outpacing UCCS's 91 while keeping countless rallies alive against one of the conference's stronger offensive teams. Five Skyhawks reached double figures in digs, led by sophomore Alyx Daugherty with a match-high 26.
Senior Alina Nunez turned in an outstanding all-around performance with a team-leading 18 kills and 17 digs, while freshman Sydney Vogel and senior Jordan DeJesus added 18 digs apiece. Junior Addie Garn directed the offense with 52 assists, and sophomore Caroline Munson provided a commanding presence at the net with 15 kills and three block assists.
Set One: UCCS 25, Fort Lewis 23
The Mountain Lions controlled much of the opening set, building a 17-12 advantage before Fort Lewis mounted a late comeback. Trailing 21-17, the Skyhawks rallied behind back-to-back service aces from Vogel to even the score at 21-21. A block from Munson and Garn tied the frame again at 22-22, but UCCS held off the comeback to take the opener, 25-23.
Set Two: Fort Lewis 28, UCCS 26
Fort Lewis faced another uphill battle in the second set, falling behind 8-2 before gradually working its way back into contention. The Skyhawks erased the early deficit and pulled even at 12-12 before the teams traded points down the stretch.
UCCS reached set point at 24-22, but Fort Lewis refused to fold. A Mountain Lions attack error and a service ace from Nunez leveled the score at 24-24. With the set tied again at 26-26, Vogel delivered a clutch kill before following with a service ace to secure the 28-26 victory and even the match.
Set Three: Fort Lewis 25, UCCS 23
The Skyhawks carried their momentum into the third set, jumping out to a 9-3 advantage behind a balanced offensive attack and continued defensive pressure. Fort Lewis stretched its lead to 14-8 before UCCS mounted a comeback, eventually pulling within one point at 17-16.
The Skyhawks responded with a timely surge, extending their advantage to 23-18 behind kills from Nunez, Munson and DeJesus. Although the Mountain Lions fought off three set points to make it 24-23, a UCCS service error sealed the 25-23 win and gave Fort Lewis a 2-1 advantage.
Set Four: UCCS 25, Fort Lewis 16
UCCS responded in the fourth set, using a strong offensive performance to force a decisive fifth frame. The Skyhawks briefly led 6-3, but the Mountain Lions answered with a 13-2 run to take control at 16-8. UCCS maintained its advantage down the stretch and claimed the set 25-16.
Set Five: Fort Lewis 15, UCCS 10
With the match hanging in the balance, Fort Lewis saved its most efficient offensive performance for the final set.
The Skyhawks recorded 10 kills against just two errors on 25 attempts, hitting .320 in the deciding frame while limiting UCCS to a .138 hitting percentage.
Fort Lewis seized control of the set and built a 12-7 advantage behind consecutive kills from Vogel and Nunez. Nunez added another kill to extend the lead to 13-8, and the Skyhawks closed out the 15-10 victory to complete the five-set upset.
Up Next
Fort Lewis will look to carry the momentum of Saturday's statement victory into the final stretch of RMAC play as the Skyhawks continue their push toward the conference postseason. The Skyhawks will host CSU Pueblo and Colorado Christian next week to wrap up RMAC play.
