ALAMOSA, Colorado — Adams State Volleyball fell to the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in straight sets Saturday afternoon at Plachy Hall during the Grizzlies final home match and 2026 Senior Day. The Grizzlies dropped today's match in a 3-0 decision. The Grizzlies battled throughout the opening two sets but ultimately came up short, falling 28-26, 25-23, and 25-16. With the loss, Adams State moves to 13-15 (7-7 RMAC).
The opening set featured a competitive back-and-forth battle between the two conference opponents, with Adams State pushing UCCS beyond the 25-point mark. The Grizzlies kept pace offensively and remained within striking distance throughout the set, but UCCS managed to close out the frame 28-26 to take an early 1-0 lead.
During the first set the Grizzlies collected 15 kills and finished with a 0.227 hitting percentage which actually finished higher then UCCS's final hitting percentage of 0.174. Overall, the Grizzlies showed great fight in the first set but came up just short.
Adams State continued to compete in the second set, looking to even the match and respond after the narrow opening-set loss. The Grizzlies recorded 16 kills in the frame while hitting .265 for their strongest offensive performance of the afternoon. However, UCCS answered with a .357 hitting percentage and secured the set 25-23 to extend its advantage to 2-0.
In the third set, UCCS found its offensive rhythm and created separation, hitting an impressive .478 while limiting the Grizzlies to a .045 hitting percentage. Adams State recorded seven kills in the final frame but was unable to overcome the deficit, as UCCS claimed the set 25-16 to complete the sweep.
Individually for the Grizzlies, Ariel Barrera led the offensive effort with 10 kills on 30 attacks, adding two service aces and seven digs to finish with 12 points. Lizzie Macintosh also contributed eight kills while recording three block assists and eight digs. Aubrey Rothermich added eight kills, while Rowan Tribelhorn finished with six kills on 11 attacks for a .455 hitting percentage. Katie Bauer chipped in five kills and two block assists, while Isabella DeLaRosa directed the offense with 33 assists and added two service aces and five digs.
Defensively, Ashlyn Jones paced Adams State with night digs, while Macintosh followed suit with eight and Barrera added seven.
Overall, the Grizzlies finished with 38 kills, 36 assists, five serving aces, 13 total blocks, and 35 digs for an overall solid night. The Grizzlies will look to carry this momentum into the playoffs as they gear up for their upcoming RMAC Quarterfinal match next Tuesday.
Looking Forward
Up next for the Grizzlies, Adams State has officially secured its spot in the 2026 RMAC Volleyball Tournament and will await the conclusion of the regular season to determine its final standing and first-round opponent. Depending on the outcome of the matchup between Fort Lewis and CSU Pueblo, the Grizzlies will finish either seventh or eighth in the conference standings. A Fort Lewis loss would give Adams State the seventh seed, while a Fort Lewis win would place the Grizzlies eighth. Regardless of the outcome, Adams State will open postseason play on the road next Tuesday in the RMAC Quarterfinals against either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed.
