Colorado State University’s women’s volleyball team secured a 3-1 victory over Air Force in a Mountain West conference match Thursday night at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The Rams dropped the first set 14-25 but came back to win the next three sets 27-25, 25-21, and 25-20.
With starting middle blocker Kekua Richards sidelined due to an upper body injury, junior Eve Wilson started at middle blocker for the second time this season. Graduate student Riley Simpson also made her first career start for Colorado State in her hometown after recovering from an injury.
The Rams struggled in the first set as they adjusted to the new lineup. “Set one showed the need to let the lineup adjustment settle in, as the Rams fell too an early deficit to the Falcons and eventually dropping the set 25-14.”
The team responded by shifting back to a 5-1 offensive system led by setter Erin Debeic. “Bouncing back, the CSU offensive went back to a 5-1 look, ran by setter Erin Debeic and the Rams were rolling once again. Wilson found her rhythm again in the middle, totaling four kills in the second frame alone while the Rams held off seven tie-scores and four lead changes to defeat the Falcons in deuce points, 27-25.”
Colorado State improved offensively throughout the match and forced more errors from Air Force. “Getting better and better offensively as the night went on, and forcing more and more errors from the Air Force offense, Colorado State won set three 25-21. A 6-0 service run from Karsyn Fetzer putt the Rams up 15-13 and they wouldn’t trail again in the set.”
The Rams achieved their highest hitting percentage in the fourth set, finishing the night at .319. “Colorado State hit its best in the fourth frame, totaling a .238 clip to apply to a .319 night. It was the fourth frame that outside hitter Halle Jameson pushed the Rams to victory with five kills in the frame. The Rams combined the serving efforts of Maria Bruun, Fetzer and Aine Doty to a 9-3 run in the third frame to take the lead and carry it through the end of the match.”
Halle Jameson recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 10 kills and 11 digs. Eve Wilson led the team offensively with 11 kills at a .241 hitting percentage. Maria Bruun and Brenna Rowland contributed ten and nine kills respectively, with Rowland also leading with seven block assists. Riley Simpson, returning from injury, had six kills and six block assists.
The Rams will continue their road trip with a match against Nevada at Virginia Street Gym on Saturday, October 18. This will be their second meeting with the Wolf Pack this season, with Colorado State previously sweeping Nevada at Moby Arena.
