GOLDEN, Colo. (November 11, 2014) — It marked the end of the 2014 season for head Coach Lindy Mortenson and the Adams State University Grizzlies women's volleyball team after losing in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Tournament Quarterfinals against the No. 4 Colorado School of Mines by a 3-0 match score. The Grizzlies, who were the seventh seed in tournament play, conclude their season at 14-14, 8-10 in RMAC contests. With the win, Mines moves on to the semifinal round where they will square off against Regis University.
One of the best offensive units in the conference was on full display this evening at Lockridge Arena as the Orediggers dominated at the net against the opposing Grizzlies. Mines won the game with a deep offensive attack from Sarah Pekarek, Alanna Winfield, Frannie Cormier, and Megan Peterson. Pekarek led the team in kills with 13, while Winfield had a successful night of her own with 11 kills. Both Cormier and Peterson each had a nine kill performance in the contest. To note, the offensive unit of the Orediggers only collected three kills without the influence of the four players mentioned. The Ordiggers won the game via match scores of 25-19, 25-18,and 25-18.
For the Grizzlies, the only defensive answer to the offensive onslaught from the home squad came in the form of sophomore
Alex Parker. In the match Parker was a part of seven blocks, surpassing her season high of six in the Halloween showdown against Colorado State University-Pueblo. While her defensive efforts kept the score in perspective, the Grizzlies could not develop an offensive run of their own to upset the heavily favored Orediggers.
Mallory Grimsrud, who had a strong showing in the matches leading up to tonight, led the Grizzlies with nine kills. Grimsrud also picked up four blocks. Senior
Leah Nelson, in her final collegiate game, gave Grizzly faithful a solid performance to complete her career at Adams State University. Nelson collected eight kills while being a part of two blocks. Freshman
Gabrielle Timmen led the team with14 digs.
Setter
Katelyn Schwartz was a healthy selection for tonight's match and started. Schwartz had 12 assists while fellow setter
Candace Shaw, who saw her first action of the season, led the team with 16 assists. Schwartz had missed the previous game against Fort Lewis College due to injury.
It was a difficult ending for ASU as the squad concluded their season on a three game losing streak and lost six of their final ten games. However, with Nelson as the only departing member of the team, the Grizzlies are poised for promising storylines in 2015.
