LAKEWOOD, Colo. –  The Adams State University Volleyball team dropped its second consecutive match Friday night, falling 3-1 to the Colorado Christian Cougars. With the loss the Grizzlies are now 6-12 overall and 3-7 in conference play.

The night began with Colorado Christian taking set one. The Grizzlies found themselves in a tight hole trailing the Cougars early on. The Cougars jumped out to a 7-1 lead and never allowed the Grizzlies to get into a rhythm. Adams State look to mount a comeback but never found any offensive groove as they fell 25-15.

The Grizzlies quickly forgot about the first set and came out striking in set two. They did not ease up on the Cougars but early on it seem the two teams were going to battle. The Grizzlies jumped out to an early 4-1 lead before Colorado Christian forced tie at 4-all. The two teams went back in forth through much of the set but Adams State continued to answer back to every run Colorado Christian mounted. The Grizzlies tied the match at 1-1 with a 25-19 victory in set two.

The third saw the Cougars jump out to sizable lead at 12-5 early and the Grizzlies did not respond. The Cougars maintained the lead and never allowed the Adams State to get back in the match. A 25-17 set three win put the Cougars back in the driver seat with a 2-1 match lead.

With their backs against the wall, Adams State looked to force a fifth and decisive set. The opportunities were there but the Cougars held Adams State in check to take set four. Midway through the set, the Grizzlies tied the match 15-all and took their first lead at 16-15. The Cougars responded each time going forward before retaking the lead, 18-17. They ultimately held on for a 25-20 win to seize a 3-1 match win over the Grizzlies.

Atira Jells led the way for the Grizzlies offense with 11 kills and 13 points. She also added a pair of digs and three blocks. Hannah Goddard and Julianna Zamora added nine and eight kills respectively. Rachael Ringler added 34 assists and posted 14 kills for a double-double. Defensively, Mackenzie Swanson led the team with 19 kills, while Elaine Thibadeau put up 14.

The Grizzlies will be back on the court tomorrow night as they square off with the Regis rangers. Game time is set for 5 p.m. in Denver.