Grand Junction, Colo.- The Metropolitan State University of Denver volleyball team (19-7, 16-2 RMAC) defeated Colorado Mesa (17-8, 11-6 RMAC) 3-1 in its last regular season match of the 2017 season.
 
The Mavericks had the upper hand over the Roadrunners in the first game of the match. Despite a close battle throughout, Colorado Mesa was able to run away with it and win 25-20.
 
MSU Denver was able to fight back in the second game holding the lead for most of the game.  Following a 9-5 lead the Mavericks were able to tie the set up at 11 and go on to take a 13-12 lead over the Roadrunners.
 
A kill from junior Santaisha Sturges (Parker, Colo./Regis Jesuit H.S.) would tie the set back up at 15, and another big point coming from Sturges would allow the Roadrunners to steal the lead back at 17-16.
 
The second game was a close battle to the end however, the Roadrunners were able to take the set 25-22.  Junior Taylor Duryea (Logan, Utah/Sky View High School) came up big to finish the set with five kills.
 
The third set went to the Roadrunners as well.  Following an early lead from the Mavericks, the Roadrunners went on a 5-0 run to gain back the lead and never let up the rest of the game winning 25-17.
 
The fourth set would continue the battle between the two sides with several lead changes to begin the set.  An early 12-9 lead came for the Mavs, but the Roadrunners fought to tie the set back up at 15.
 
A big kill from Duryea would kick start a three-point run for Roadrunners, taking a 20-17 lead. The Mavs were able to cut the lead to 20-19, but the Roadrunners offense continued to fight and would go on to win 25-22.
 
Duryea had a huge match for the Roadrunners posting a season high 18 kills.  Sturges posted another double double for her team with 14 kills and 18 digs. Senior Alyssa Svalberg (Aurora, Colo./Grandview H.S.) finished the night with 37 assists.  

The Roadrunners will host the quarterfinal of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference on Tuesday at 7 p.m.