ALAMOSA, Colo. — Adams State turns early deficits into momentum and finishes strong in each set to sweep Black Hills State on Friday at Plachy Hall. The Grizzlies earn the 25–20, 25–22, 25–19 victory to improve to 11–8 overall and 5–2 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.
Lizzie MacIntosh leads the attack with 12 kills and adds 12 digs for a double-double. Ashlyn Jones anchors the defense with 23 digs and delivers four service aces, helping Adams State take control from the service line.
Black Hills State opened the first set with four straight points, but the Grizzlies settled in and erased the deficit. Trailing 12–10, Adams State scored seven consecutive points behind Aubrey Rothermich's serve. Carolisa Folau supplied three kills during the run as the Grizzlies build a 17–12 advantage. MacIntosh closed the set with a kill and an ace to give Adams State the early lead.
The Yellow Jackets threatened again in the second set, moving ahead 10–6. Adams State answered with another surge, turning a 12–9 deficit into a 15–12 lead as Jones recorded two aces during a six-point run. Black Hills State pulled even at 19, but Rowan Tribelhorn delivered two kills and teams with Isabella Hidalgo for a block as the Grizzlies scored four straight points. Adams State withstood one more push to secure the set and a 2–0 match advantage.
The Grizzlies carried that momentum into the third. Rothermich's serve fueled a five-point run that stretched an 8–6 lead to 12–6, with Katie Bauer and Tribelhorn contributing kills. Black Hills State narrowed the gap to three points, but consecutive MacIntosh kills helped Adams State regain separation. Folau and Tribelhorn added late kills before a Yellow Jackets attack error sealed the sweep.
Folau finished with 10 kills, while Rothermich and Tribelhorn add nine apiece. Ellie Miller distributes 19 assists, and Isabella DeLaRosa contributes 18. Adams State recorded 16 kills in each set and held Black Hills State to a .123 hitting percentage.
Up Next
Adams State hosts South Dakota Mines on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 3 p.m. MT in Plachy Hall.
