Golden, Colo. – The Metropolitan State University of Denver volleyball team was defeated 3-1 by Colorado Mesa on Friday night in the semifinals of the RMAC Tournament.  The Roadrunners fall to 20-11 on the season.

The Roadrunners were led offensively by junior Michaela Smith (Littleton, Colo./Regis Jesuit H.S.).  Smith tallied 17 kills in the match.  Junior Brandi Torr (Albuquerque, N.M./La Cueva H.S.) dished out 34 assists and had eight digs.  Senior Kylie Haun (Simpsonville, S.C./Hillcrest H.S.) also had eight digs and added seven kills.

The first set of the match was a close affair before Colorado Mesa pulled away scoring the final four points of the set and defeating the Roadrunners by a score of 25-18.  MSU Denver had a balanced attack in the set with Smith tallying three kills and sophomore Ryan Hoerdemann (Littleton, Colo./Arapahoe H.S.), senior Summer Greager (Colorado Springs, Colo./Colorado Springs Christian H.S.), and junior Vasati Fiatoa (Las Vegas, Nev./Bonanza H.S.) each posting two kills.  However, the Roadrunners were outhit in the set .088 to Colorado Mesa's .257.

The MSU Denver offense failed to get on track in the second set as the Roadrunners would commit 10 errors and notch 10 kills for a hitting percentage of .000.  Colorado Mesa would not commit a single error in the set and hit .444.  The Mavericks would also tally six aces in the set compared to only one for the Roadrunners.

The Roadrunners would trade points with the Mavericks throughout the third set with neither team being able to build a lead of more than two points.  MSU Denver would trail 22-20 before Smith would rack up four kills for the Roadrunners in their final six points to take the set 26-24.

The fourth set saw the Roadrunners take an early 9-7 lead.    The Mavericks would go on a 6-1 run to take a 13-10 lead.  MSU Denver would respond with a 5-0 run of its own to retake the lead 15-13.  After trading points the score would become tied 22-22.  Colorado Mesa would go on to score the final three points of the set to earn the 25-22 victory.

MSU Denver will await the announcement of the NCAA Tournament field on Monday, Nov. 23.  A watch party has been scheduled at The Regency Student Housing at 5:30 p.m.