Denver, Colo. – The Metropolitan State University of Denver volleyball team (21-8) fell 3-0 to No. 11 Regis University (27-3) in the 2017 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament championship.
 
The energy was high in the gym  to begin the first set of the RMAC tournament Championship with the Roadrunners getting off to a strong start to begin game one.  The team quickly jumped off to a 2-0 lead over the Rangers.
 
Following a tie at five each side went point for point.  A huge point came for the Roadrunners when a block from junior Stephanie Laraway (Lakewood, Colo./Lakewood H.S.) would end a long rally for MSU Denver to take a 9-8 lead over the Rangers.
 
The Roadrunners maintained held a 17-13 lead but Regis went on to score the following six points to take a 19-17 lead.
 
A kill from junior Santaisha Sturges (Parker, Colo./Regis Jesuit H.S.) took the lead back for her team at 20-19, but Regis kept the pressure on and would allow the Roadrunner three more points while taking the set 25-23.
 
The Rangers led nearly the whole second set but the Roadrunners were never more than three points behind early on.
 
Regis started to break away taking a 21-16 lead over MSU Denver.  The Roadrunners made a strong attempt for the comeback, but the Rangers were able to take the second game 25-20.
 
To begin the third game, the Rangers jumped off to an early 9-4 lead and were able to maintain a solid lead throughout much of the game.   
 
The Roadrunners continued its fight and after trailing by five were able to bring the score to within two at 20-18, but the Rangers pushed on take the 25-21 win in the third set.
 
Sturges finished the match with 10 kills and 9 digs for the Roadrunners. Senior Vasati Fiatoa (Las Vegas, Nev./Bonanza H.S.) hit 500 for seven kills. Senior Alyssa Svalberg (Aurora, Colo./Grandview H.S.) had 32 assists for the Roadrunners.
 
Sturges and senior Jackie Lopez (Encino, Calif./Notre Dame H.S.) were named to the 2017 RMAC all-tournament team.
 
MSU Denver will await the NCAA selection show on Monday, November 20 to see who the team will take on in the first round of the NCAA tournament.