DENVER – No. 7 MSU Denver came up just short in its bid to win a second straight Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament championship, but the Roadrunners still aren't done.
 
No. 11 Regis won the final two sets for a 3-2 victory (21-25, 25-20, 19-25, 25-20, 15-11) Saturday night, but both teams will be playing again in less than two weeks at the NCAA Tournament's South Central Regional.
 
"I was really confident in our team coming in, and I'm really proud of how we played the match," MSU Denver coach Jenny Glenn said. "That's what it's all about. We want to try to stay present and not make any point bigger than it is, and for the most part we did that – although we did let them go on a couple of runs. But for the most part I'm really proud of how we engaged in the battle tonight."
 
The match at the Auraria Event Center does represent the end of an era, though, as it was almost certainly the final home match for the Roadrunners' senior class led by five-season regulars Rylee Hladky, Ember Canty and Mikayla McClinton.
 
That group has compiled an overall record of 119-22, including 76-4 with three championships in regular-season RMAC play.
 
"It's been really fun," Hladky said. "I'm very thankful for MSU Denver. I'm thankful for my time here. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way – well, maybe I would've wanted a win tonight, but it keeps us hungry. I'm just thankful for this program. I've learned so much, and I couldn't be more proud of this team."
 
Their run includes an RMAC-record 48-match winning streak in regular-season league competition that finally came to an end earlier this season.
 
"I can't speak enough about this group of seniors," Glenn said. "As far as human beings, their character, how they've grown and developed the culture of MSU Denver volleyball. They have put in so much time and effort. And they've been the best cohort to come through the RMAC. Ever.
 
"You see what they do on the volleyball court, but what they do off the court is so much bigger with how they impact the people around them. One of the things we talk about a lot is that greatness is bringing other people along on the journey with you."
 
After entering the week ranked second in the South Central Region, it seems unlikely that Roadrunnners will fall any lower than third once the tournament field and seedings are announced Monday at 5:30 p.m. MST.
 
The Roadrunners, and Regis, both 23-6 overall, are most likely headed to West Texas A&M for the Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 regional. Regis, fourth in the region rankings prior to the RMAC Tournament, vanquished third-ranked Colorado Mesa 3-0 in the semifinals and could potentially jump to second in the regional seedings based on that win and its 2-1 record against MSU Denver this season.
 
A second- and third-seeded scenario that includes MSU Denver and Regis would put them on course for a match in the regional semifinals, should each win its first-round match.
 
"Every time we play Regis, we play our best matches," Glenn said. "It's a big team, and we match up from a size standpoint. It's a different style than we get that from anyone else in the RMAC. We learn something each and every time, and I think we learned a lot tonight."
 
As for Saturday's match itself, MSU Denver started strong, hitting .343 in the opening set, with Riley Anderson hitting .545 with six kills in 11 error-free swings.
 
"It was really exciting," Anderson said. "They brought us some competition that we haven't had in a while. It was fun to play in that atmosphere."
 
Regis won the second set, but freshman defensive specialist Autumn Gibbs was becoming a major factor on a night where she served a career-best five aces – tied for the most by a Roadrunner since Jessa Megenhardt had six in a 3-0 win over Cal Poly Pomona on Sept. 7, 2019.
 
"I think she elevates in these moments, which is great to see," Glenn said. "She wasn't afraid. As a freshman, she's grown each and every week, and she made some really good plays."
 
Anderson, who led the tournament with 41 kills and 47.5 point,  had four more kills as the Roadrunners won the third set.
 
Hladky, en route to 18 kills – her second-highest total of a season in which she has been in and out of the lineup – was once again as productive as ever when needed the most. She had 12 digs while recording her 43rd career double-double.
 
"The postseason is about the pressure-filled plays and rising to the challenge, and we did that," Hladky said. "I'm proud of that. I just trusted myself and my teammates and we were able to go out and do our thing."
 
Said Glenn: "I'm really proud of her. She's been very patient in the process. It's been a battle. It's been hard. You saw the competitor in her tonight. It's a testament to her competitive spirit."
 
Ultimately Regis' Amelia Davis, who had 20 kills for the match, was the difference maker in the final two sets.
 
Davis was named to the all-tournament team that was headlined by most valuable player Mara LeGrand, the Rangers' setter. Joining them on the all-tournament team from MSU Denver were Anderson and Skyer Michael, who had a career high 11 kills in Tuesday's first round as well as in Saturday's final.
 
"Skyler is getting better and better each week," Glenn said. "She's takes feedback so well. I can shoot it straight with her and she takes the emotion out of it and takes the feedback."
 
Now MSU Denver will regroup and try to reach the regional final for a third consecutive season. Due to the Thanksgiving break, there's some extra time built in before returning to action.
 
"It's nice to keep playing," Glenn said. "But at the same time we also have some healing to do."