DENVER – Everything counts this time around.
 
No. 8 MSU Denver heads into the NCAA Division II Tournament's South Central Regional for a first-round match Thursday at 1:30 p.m. MST against Texas A&M-Kingsville.
 
The Roadrunners are coming off a loss Nov. 18 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament championship match against Regis, which ultimately probably cost them the second seed for the regional and put them as the third seed for the regional.
 
But another loss would spell the end of the season for MSU Denver.
 
"I think this group is really motivated right now," MSU Denver coach Jenny Glenn said. "After our loss, it was an interesting response, but also a really encouraging response from the group. They understand where we're at, understand what we need to get better at, and they've had the motivation to do that."
 
Three wins this weekend would give the Roadrunners (23-6) that elusive regional championship and trip to the national quarterfinals they've been seeking.
 
They had regional finals matches on their home floor at the tournament's top seed each of the past two seasons, but were upended both times by West Texas A&M, which went on last year to win the national championship.
 
Now those defending champs are the region's top seed and will host the eight-team field in Canyon, Texas.
 
"We're not looking too far ahead," setter Amela Qershia said. "We're just going to focus on our opponent and do our thing."
 
Should the Roadrunners get past the first round, their most likely opponent in Friday's regional semifinal would be ninth-ranked Regis, which has won two of the three head-to-head matchups this year. West Texas A&M, ranked fifth, is the favorite to play in Saturday's regional final.
 
"The last couple of years at home it hasn't worked out for us, so maybe it's our destiny to go do it out in Texas," middle blocker Canty said. "Our fans are still going to be with us."
 
But the Roadrunners know they have to win Thursday, and Friday, first.
 
"You're not guaranteed another one after this," Canty said. "So it's about getting the best-prepared we can be and leaving it all out on the court."