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Skyhawks volleyball makes home debut versus Eagles and Rangers

9/17/2026 10:00:00 AM

By: Angela Roberts, Associate AD - Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College volleyball team makes its long awaited home debut this week with matches against Chadron State College and Regis University on deck in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) action.

Last Time Out
Fort Lewis opened conference play on the road last week, dropping a pair of matches to Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines to move to 5-5 overall and 0-2 in league play. The Skyhawks battled through a five-set thriller against Black Hills State on Friday, ultimately falling 25-23, 15-25, 25-23, 23-25, 19-17. Fort Lewis held advantages in digs (93-85) and blocks (12-8), while senior Alina Nunez led the offense with 24 kills on .283 hitting to go along with 19 digs. Alyx Daugherty added 31 digs, and Jordan DeJesus finished with 14 kills and 16 digs.

The Skyhawks traveled to Rapid City the following evening where South Dakota Mines earned a 3-0 win by set scores of 25-16, 30-28, and 25-14. Fort Lewis pushed the Hardrockers in a marathon second set but struggled to slow an efficient South Dakota Mines offense that hit .301 for the match. DeJesus and Nunez shared the team lead with seven kills apiece, while DeJesus added a team-high 14 digs. Arianna Reyna and Addie Garn combined for 25 assists in the loss.

Around the RMAC
The league has three teams ranked or receiving votes in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll, led by MSU Denver at No. 19. The Roadrunners have fallen in the rankings after coming in at No. 3 in the preseason poll. Colorado Mesa continues to receive votes, and UCCS has joined the receiving votes group this week.

Colorado Mesa and South Dakota Mines lead the conference at 8-2 overall and 2-0 in the RMAC.

Among the RMAC's 15 teams, Fort Lewis ranks in the following statistical categories:
  • 9th – Opponent Kills (12.83/set)
  • 6th – Service Aces (1.56/set)
  • 4th – Digs (15.06/set)
  • 9th – Assists (10.89/set)
  • 10th – Hitting Percentage (.181)
  • 13th – Blocks (1.31/set)
Inside the Numbers
Fort Lewis has found success this season when its offense reaches the .200 mark and when the defense holds opponents below .220 hitting. Blocking remains an area to watch, with the Skyhawks averaging 1.31 blocks per set, but the back-row defense has helped extend rallies with 15.06 digs per set.

Nunez has led the way offensively, carrying a significant role on the pin with 3.08 kills per set across 296 attempts. Senior Jordan DeJesus follows with 2.61 kills per set while hitting .152. Daugherty anchors the defense with 4.81 digs per set and has also been a threat from the service line with 16 aces.

Scouting Chadron State
The Eagles are 5-5 overall and 0-2 in the league after five set losses to Colorado Christian and CSU Pueblo last week. Chadron State was 5-21 last season and 1-13 in the RMAC, including a 3-0 loss to Fort Lewis.

The Eagles are hitting .171 as a team, averaging 11.84 kills and 10.68 assists per set. Defensively, Chadron State averages 16.84 digs and 2.22 blocks per set. The Eagles have been particularly effective at the net, totaling 82 blocks, while opponents have 80.

Offensively, Mataya Ward leads the team with 107 kills (2.89/set) and 120 points, while Gibson Beckler is close behind with 101 kills and also averages 2.89 kills per set. Kally Kirkwood has added 94 kills at 2.54 per set. The Eagles use multiple setters, led by Jillian Donovan with 231 assists, while Cydnie Eskew has 108.

On the defensive side, Avery Lacy leads the way with 163 digs at 4.41 per set and also paces the team with 17 service aces. Sarah Meservey has been Chadron State's top presence at the net, totaling 46 blocks at 1.24 per set, including nine solo blocks. Kirkwood follows with 29 blocks, while Rayssa Da Silva has 24.

Scouting Regis University
Regis enters the week at 1-10 overall and 0-2 in conference play. Through 38 sets, the Rangers are hitting .132 as a team while averaging 10.45 kills, 9.89 assists, 14.76 digs, 1.79 service aces, and 1.29 blocks per set. Opponents are hitting .278 against Regis and averaging 14.47 kills per set. The service line has been one of the Rangers' stronger areas, with 68 aces compared to 60 for their opponents.

Kailyn Polzin leads the Regis offense with 82 kills (2.28/set), followed by Kendal Allaire with 65 and Morgan Munro with 57. Allaire leads the team's primary attackers with a .244 hitting percentage. The setting duties are split nearly evenly between Nicole Shaver (167 assists) and Maddie Lynett (164).

Defensively, Cady Knight leads the Rangers with 168 digs (4.42/set) and a team-high 14 service aces. Munro has been the team's top blocker with 24 total blocks, followed closely by Allaire with 23. Shaver has added 82 digs and 12 aces to her setting numbers.

Up Next
Fort Lewis plays in its annual Power Pod next week on the campuses of New Mexico Highlands (Friday, September 25) and Adams State University (Saturday, September 26).
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