Alamosa, Colo. – Behind a balanced offensive attack and stout defense, Adams State volleyball rolled past N.M. Highlands on Tuesday night, sweeping the Cowgirls 3-0 (25-18, 25-11, 25-19) in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action at Plachy Hall.
The Grizzlies (4-7 overall, 1-2 RMAC) fed off the home crowd, building momentum early and never looking back. Adams State hit .262 as a team while limiting Highlands (4-7, 0-3 RMAC) to just .078.
"This was a full team win, not just on the court but also the bench. They really brought it tonight and the energy helped drive the momentum of the match in our favor. We hope to keep that same energy rolling into our away match this Friday," said head coach Garcia Ramser.
Outside hitter Hadleigh Richardson set the tone at the net, finishing with a match-high 17 kills on .342 hitting. She added a service ace, three digs, and a block to lead the Grizzlies offensively. Richardson found her rhythm in the opening set and proved nearly unstoppable down the stretch.
Olivia Lunt provided a strong complement on the right side with 11 kills and a team-best five blocks, while Katie Bauer added six kills on a .429 hitting percentage in the middle. The front line combined for 10 total team blocks, disrupting the Cowgirls' rhythm throughout the night.
At setter, Peyton Priddy and Isabella DeLaRosa kept the offense flowing with quick ball movement and well-timed distribution. Priddy finished with 15 assists and six digs, while DeLaRosa posted a double-double of 16 assists and 10 digs.
Defensively, Adams State showcased its depth and effort in the back row. Ashlyn Jones anchored the unit with 15 digs, while Logan Conlin chipped in nine and delivered three service aces. As a team, the Grizzlies tallied 51 digs and held a decisive 7-1 edge in service aces.
The opening set stayed tight early, but Richardson and Lunt sparked a 6-1 surge that pushed the Grizzlies in front for good in a 25-18 win. Adams State never slowed down, hitting .308 in the second frame and cruising to a 25-11 victory to take full command of the match. Highlands fought back in the third, closing the gap to two points, but the Grizzlies answered with poise, stringing together key defensive stops and kills to finish the sweep.
The night's biggest moment came in the final rallies, when senior Natalie Gallegos who has been sidelined for nearly two years by injury, stepped onto the court and delivered a kill for her first points since returning. The play ignited the home crowd and served as a powerful capstone to Adams State's performance.
Adams State will now turn its attention to the road, traveling to Golden, Colo. for its next conference matchup facing off against RV Colorado School of Mines at 7 p.m. Friday night.
