Denver -  The Metropolitan State University of Denver volleyball team defeated Texas A&M-Commerce 3-2 in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament on Thursday, November 30 to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
 
After taking the first set, the Roadrunners went down 2-1 in the match.  MSU Denver was forced to make a comeback and ultimately win a five-set thriller over the Lions.
 
MSU Denver was led by junior Santaisha Sturges (Parker, Colo./Regis Jesuit H.S.) who finished the match with 21 kills and 16 digs for her 19th double-double of the season.  Senior Vasatia Fiatoa posted 11 kills for the team with a .409 hitting percentage in the match.  Freshman Lyric Hebert (Arvada, CO/Ralston Valley H.S.) had 18 digs for the Roadrunners and senior Jackie Lopez (Encino, Calif./Notre Dame H.S.) added 19 of her own.
 
MSU Denver came out ready to play in the first game of the match.  Following a 3-3 tie to begin the match, the Roadrunners would hold the lead throughout.  The Lions were only able to score eight more points in the match, with the Roadrunners taking the huge 25-11 win.
 
The second game started off close between the two sides.  Following an 11-11 tie in the set, the Lions broke away from the Roadrunners to gain 11-15 advantage. MSU Denver fought for the comeback, eventually tying the set at 20.  The final points went back-and-forth, but the Lions were able to steal the second set 25-22.
 
Texas A&M-Commerce carried the energy into the third set of the match.  Despite an early 3-0 lead from the Roadrunners, the Lions went on to steal the lead and be on top by as many as five points.  The Lions would go on to win the third set 25-21 and be up on the Roadrunners 2-1 in the match.
 
The fourth set was a tough battle and a must win for MSU Denver. After exchanging points to start, the Roadrunners went on a 6-0 run to take a 13-9 lead.  The Lions would answer, scoring the next four to tie the game up at 13.  After gaining back the lead, the Roadrunners would never lose it, despite the Lions coming within just one point to take the 25-21 win in the set and sending the match into a fifth set.
 
The Roadrunners dominated the fifth set taking an 8-1 lead early.  With the Lions on their heals, MSU Denver was able to take the fifth game 15-9.
 
The Roadrunners advance to the semifinal of the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament and play on Friday, December 1 at 5 p.m. at Regis.