GUNNISON, Colo. – Life as a ranked team appears to suit MSU Denver just fine, thank you.
The 13
th-ranked Roadrunners returned to the action after cracking the national rankings for the first time since 2017 on Saturday and wasted little time showing why in a dominant 3-0 win at Western Colorado (25-9, 25-18, 25-15).
MSU Denver hit .407 – its best single-match performance since a .427 effort against Adams State in the RMAC Tournament championship match on Nov. 23, 2013 – while improving to 4-0.
The Roadrunners hit .455 in the opening set, a set in which they jumped out to a 12-1 lead, and finished it up by hitting .485 in the third set.
Rylee Hladky had eight kills on .533 hitting while adding three service aces, two blocks and 14 digs, and
Kayla White had eight kills on .304 hitting with two aces.
But it didn't stop there.
Ember Canty had six kills on .750 hitting to go with six blocks, and
Kaylee Corsentino had five kills and three blocks.
Better yet, returning regular rotation players
Alexis Benda and
Caiden Rexius made their season debuts, playing the third set.
MSU Denver played later Saturday against Adams State.