ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Adams State University Volleyball team closed out the third and final day of the Crystal Inn Classic splitting its final two games. Following a 1-3 showing over the weekend, the Grizzlies are now 3-5 on the year.

The Grizzlies final match of the tournament against the Western New Mexico University Mustangs is where they secured their lone win. Adams State needed the full five sets to walk away with the victory.

Set No. 1 went to the Grizzlies, 25-17, thanks in part to a .207 hitting percentage and 13 errors by the Mustangs. Hannah Goddard and Shannon Mulkey led the charge with four and three kills, respectively. With a 9-9 tie near the middle of the set, Adams State went on an 8-2 to create space and hold on for the set win.

The second set was similar to the first, but it was the Grizzlies who faltered this time. Nine Adams State errors helped Western New Mexico hold on for a slim 25-23 edge. Despite the set loss, the Grizzlies still had more kills through two sets, 26-25.

The third set was another nail biter as Western New Mexico took a 2-1 lead after winning the set 25-22. With their backs against the wall, the Grizzlies came together to take the next two sets and secure the win.

In the fourth set, the two teams tied eight times yet the lead changed only twice. Late in the set, Adams State trailed 21-17 after calling a timeout. The Grizzlies then scored seven unanswered point to take a 24-21 lead before ultimately taking the set 25-22.

The fifth set needed more than 15 points to determine a winner. The Grizzlies got out to an 11-7 advantage but the Mustangs hung around. A couple plays later Goddard put down a kill to give Adams State a 14-11 lead but once again Western New Mexico answered scoring three-straight points to tie the set. The Grizzlies were not phased as they closed out the match winning the set 19-17.

Adams State started the day taking on No. 18 Tarleton State University. The TexAnns proved to be too much as they swept the Grizzlies 3-0 by set scores of 25-14, 26-16, and 25-20.

The Grizzlies came out battling early in set No. 1 as they were knotted at 7-7 with Tarleton after a Julianna Zamora kill tied the set. The TexAnns responded going a 13-3 run to lead 20-10 before closing out the set by a final of 25-14.

In the second set, Adams State found itself in a 7-3 hole early but got within one, 7-6, after a pair of TexAnn errors and a Zamora kill. Tarleton responded once again with a 7-2 run to lead 14-8. A few plays later, the Grizzlies got within five, 17-12, but never got any closer before falling 25-16.

The third set was the closest from start to finish as Adams State pushed Tarleton until the end. After getting down 4-1 early in the set, the Grizzlies rattled off four straight points to take their first lead of the day, 5-4. Tarleton created a two-point lead at the mid-point of the set, 13-11, and maintained it the rest of the way. The Grizzlies never got any closer from that point on as the TexAnns finished the sweep.

Goddard led Adams State with 25 kills for the day. Jadyn Nanez and Mulkey were not far behind with 21 and 20 kills, respectively. Rachael Ringler tallied 74 assists in two matches to go along with 18 digs and a block assist. Mulkey had 10 blocks to lead the defense, while Mackenzie Swanson had the most digs with 35.

The Grizzlies will return to Alamosa for their home opener this week. The Grizzlies will host Metropolitan State University-Denver on Friday, Sept. 7 and Chadron State College on Saturday, Sept. 8. Game times are set for 7 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.