DENVER – The first time the Metropolitan State University of Denver volleyball team played Dixie State this season, it was a competitive battle from which the Roadrunners emerged victorious, three sets to one.

The second time – in Friday's Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament semifinal – it wasn't even close.

The second-seeded Roadrunners (23-6) dominated from start to finish, sweeping the third-seeded Trailblazers (20-8) in dominant fashion (25-21, 25-17, 25-21) to earn a berth in their fourth consecutive RMAC Tournament title match under head coach Jenny Glenn.

"We took adjustments from things that happened the first time (we played Dixie State)," Glenn said. "Even though we did win that match, there were things we could improve upon."

Though MSU Denver was crisp in all facets on Friday evening, one area of certain strength for the Roadrunners was defense at the net. MSU Denver registered 10 blocks on the night, holding the Trailblazers to just .076 hitting – Dixie State's second-worst output of the season.

"I think our blocking was a huge factor in the match," Glenn said. "(Dixie State) is a really good offensive team. I think theyre used to scoring. We were able to turn back balls and make it a little bit tougher for them, and when it got through we played really good floor defense tonight. I think that frustrated them."

The first set was neck-and-neck before MSU Denver went on a 5-0 run to take a 16-12 lead. Dixie State eventually evened things up at 17 apiece, but the Roadrunners responded with a gritty effort to end the set by a 25-21 score. Fittingly, the final point of the frame came on a block from Avaline Lai and Ember Canty.

The second set was close until about the same juncture, but MSU Denver went on a similar run to take a commanding 17-12 lead. Dixie State never responded, and a Rylee Hladky block-kill combo ended the frame, 25-17.

Dixie State hung around longer in the third stanza, but MSU Denver put the final nail in the coffin with a 6-0 run after trailing 14-13. The third frame proved to be the last as the Roadrunners won the set by a 25-21 count to seal the match victory.

Despite being away from their home gym at the Regis Field House, the Roadrunners had a lively crowd of fans to boost them Friday evening.

"It feels like there's a whole army behind us and that we're playing for something bigger than ourselves," MSU Denver junior outside hitter Kayla White said in the post-match press conference. "It feels great."

Along with stellar blocking, MSU Denver stymied Dixie State with five service aces while the Trailblazers turned in just one. Junior setter Joli Sadler contributed three of those five, while White led MSU Denver with 10 kills and 14 digs. Freshman Rylee Hladky also posted 10 kills and three blocks, while senior Alyssa Kelling led the team with six rejections.

Five Roadrunners had at least two blocks on the night.

"I'm really proud of this group tonight," Glenn said. "I thought we played as a team and we played feisty in multiple areas of the game."

Friday's festivities extended beyond MSU Denver's on-court success as RMAC commissioner Chris Graham presented White with the league's Summit Award (highest GPA at RMAC Tournament final site) as well as Kelling and Jessa Megenhardt with their RMAC Co-Academic Players of the Year honors.

All eyes now turn to tomorrow night's RMAC Tournament championship match, which is set for 5 p.m. MST at Regis Field House. MSU Denver will take on the winner of the semifinal match between No. 1 seed Regis and No. 4 seed Colorado School of Mines.