ALAMOSA, Colo. — Adams State delivered the closing points in the first two sets to take control Saturday at Plachy Hall, but South Dakota Mines rallied to hand the Grizzlies a five-set loss. Adams State fell 25–21, 25–23, 18–25, 18–25, 7–15 and moved to 11–9 overall and 5–3 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.
Rowan Tribelhorn and Carolisa Folau led the Grizzlies with 15 kills apiece. Tribelhorn hit .357 and added three blocks, while Folau recorded a double-double with 15 digs. Isabella DeLaRosa also posted a double-double with 31 assists and 12 digs.
The Grizzlies established an early edge in the opening set. Aubrey Rothermich's serve helped stretch an 8–6 lead to 11–6, and Adams State remained in front until the Hardrockers pulled even at 21. The Grizzlies answered with four consecutive kills. Folau broke the tie before Lizzie MacIntosh, Sienna Markovich and Tribelhorn finished the set.
Adams State carried that finish into the second, scoring the first five points behind DeLaRosa's serve. South Dakota Mines worked back into the set, but consecutive Folau aces helped the Grizzlies build a 15–11 advantage. The Hardrockers erased the gap and tied the score at 23 before MacIntosh delivered a kill. A South Dakota Mines attack error gave Adams State the set and a 2–0 match lead.
The momentum shifted in the third. South Dakota Mines broke a 6–6 tie with four straight points and extended its lead to 18–11. Rothermich supplied five kills in the set, but the Grizzlies could not close the gap as the Hardrockers kept the match alive.
Adams State made another push in the fourth. Trailing 13–7, the Grizzlies won six of the next seven points to move within 14–13. South Dakota Mines responded with five consecutive points and held the lead to force a deciding set.
The Grizzlies opened the fifth with a 2–0 advantage and regained the lead at 4–3 on a Folau ace. The Hardrockers then scored six straight points, including three consecutive aces from Maria Bouman, to take a 9–4 lead. Adams State received kills from Tribelhorn, Rothermich and Katie Bauer down the stretch, but South Dakota Mines completed the comeback.
MacIntosh finished with 12 kills and three blocks, while Rothermich added nine kills and two aces. Ellie Miller contributed 22 assists, and Ashlyn Jones matched Folau with 15 digs. Adams State totaled 61 kills and eight aces.
Up Next
Adams State will travel to Durango to face Fort Lewis on Friday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. MT.
