ALAMOSA, Colo. – The Adams State University Grizzlies split two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matches during Pod Action on Friday inside Plachy Hall. The Grizzlies swept Black Hills State in three sets before forcing overtime points but ultimately falling to Colorado Mesa in three sets. The nightcap also served as senior day for Mackenzie Swanson who ended her career.
Adams State 3, Black Hills 0
Adams State opened Friday's action by defeating Black Hills in three straight sets as with won with scores of 25-18, 25-23 and 25-21.
After starting set one 1-1 the Yellow Jackets were able to get ahead of the Grizzlies going up 1-4. BHSU held a steady lead over the Grizzlies until the two teams would find themselves locked at 13 apiece. The Grizzlies used the tie to their advantage going on a 12-5 run to defeat the Yellow Jackets 25-18 in set one.
In set two the Yellow Jackets and Grizzlies saw neither team going ahead by more than three points at any point. With both teams tied at 23 Adams State captured the final two points for the 25-23 win.
The Grizzlies would take an early lead in set three going up 4-1. The Yellow Jackets would battle hard with the Grizzlies throughout the set coming within striking distance of the lead but were unable to lock in the lead at all throughout the set. Down by two at 16 the Yellow Jackets would then be outscored 7-5 to close out the set falling 25-21.
Adams State was led by Shannon Mulkey who had 15 kills while Chasey Blach added in 9. Alexanda MacAskill has a team-high six blocks in the contest.
Colorado Mesa 3, Adams State 0
The Grizzlies fought in the second set, however, they ultimate fell with set scores of 17-25, 27-29 and 26-28.
The Mavericks never trailed in the opening set and used a 4-0 run, led by Hunt to take a 15-11 lead after the set had been tied at 11.
The Mavericks then jumped out to a 6-0 second-set lead. They then led by as many as eight points at 16-8 but watched the Grizzlies rally to take a 22-21 lead with a 14-5 extended run. The teams then exchanged points nearly one-for-one before the Mavericks capitalized on two points to get the 29-27 win.
The Mavericks also took a 16-10 third set lead but again watched the Grizzlies fight their way back into it, going on an 8-1 run. ASU would later take 22-21 and 23-22 leads before a hitting error kill by the Mavericks gave them their first match-point at 24-23.
The Grizzlies were able to fend that off and then took a 25-24 lead on a Cindy Garcia block before an exchange of errors made the score 26-25 in favor of the home team.
However, a kill on a Grizzly blocking error and a block give the Mavericks a 27-26 lead and a second match point and the eventual win.
The Mavericks had a massive 51-29 advantage in total kills but watched the Grizzlies come up with 13 blocks to keep things interesting.
The Mavericks had five blocks of their own but did more of their defensive work in the backrow coming up with 62 digs, eight more than ASU, while allowing just two service aces.
Up Next
The Grizzlies are 2-12 overall and to 2-11 in the RMAC as they wrapped up their season.
