DENVER – The usual pathway for approaching the Auraria Event Center was blocked Friday night by an on-campus event.
 
Inside the building, Ember Canty and Mikayla McClinton were blocking a few things, too.
 
Canty and McClinton, who rank 1-2 among all active Division II players in career total blocks, were up to their old tricks again, spearheading an MSU Denver defense that recorded 11 total blocks in a relatively easy 3-0 sweep of Colorado Christian.
 
"Blocking is super crucial," McClinton said. "You shut down a hitter, and it forces the other team to try to think of different shots and makes them a little more timid to come at us whenever they swing again. We're always looking for ways to continue to improve our blocking and to continue to intimidate teams."
 
No. 9 MSU Denver, 6-3, won its Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener to extend its league record to 41 consecutive regular-season conference victories. The 25-19, 25-14, 25-22 decision was also the program's 39^th consecutive regular-season RMAC home win.
 
Canty and McClinton have been a big part of that as five-year starters.
 
"It's awesome to have them," MSU Denver coach Jenny Glenn said. "The middle blocker position is really difficult. They have to understand what's coming at us from the other side of the net. They have to make good decisions. So to have two veteran players there is huge.
 
"And their offense continues to get better and we're trying to utilize them more and more – which is something that we've been trying to do for, I don't know, four or five years."
 
Canty had two solo blocks and four block assists, upping her career tally to 395 total blocks. McClinton had one solo block and three block assists and now has 360 total blocks.
 
"Our IQ has grown and we're reading things better," Canty said. "And we're also adapting. We've tried different things, different moves. The fact that it's me and Mikayla (1-2 on the active NCAA leader list), it shows teams that it's never going to be easy … and our pins are just as strong."
 
Said McClinton: "We definitely feed off each other. We've been playing together for so long, and we're always looking for ways to out-do each other, especially in practice."
 
The dynamic duo also flashed their aforementioned offensive skill, combining for 13 kills on .462 hitting (one total error, 26 combined attacks).
 
"Maybe it's because I get blocks more often, but I love getting a block more than I love getting a kill," Canty said. "One reason is because it's usually two people working together to shut down an opponent."
 
Canty is now three away from becoming the program's rally-scoring era leader in total blocks, as she trails only Julie Casseaux (2008-11), who ranks third all-time regardless of the scoring system. Canty is also third all-time and second in the rally-scoring era with 336 block assists after breaking a tie with Alyssa Kelling (2015-19).
 
McClinton passed Vasati Fiatoa (2013-17) for fourth in total blocks in the rally-scoring era and needs eight to tie Kelling in block assists.
 
"They're really dialing some stuff in," Glenn said. "We've altered our system a little bit and I think it's giving them some freedom to find the ball a little bit more often, to use their volleyball IQ to get those blocks. They're both doing a really good job of making good decisions and taking the risk at the right time to turn back balls instead of just allowing our defense to dig it."
 
Canty and McClinton had plenty of help, of course.
 
All-American outside hitters Riley Anderson (11) and Rylee Hladky (10) combined for 21 kills, with Anderson hitting an outstanding .450. Amela Qershia set 24 assists and had two service aces. Defensively, Abbie McCrimmon had 16 digs and right-side hitters Maddy Williams (four block assists) and Skyler Michael (one solo, two assists) joined in the block party.
 
"We struggled to find our rhythm from time to time, but we battled through that," Glenn said. "I think you saw glimpses of what it looks like when we're flowing and in a good rhythm. CCU did a good job of putting pressure on us and constantly changing throughout the match. They tried different lineups, different personnel, and were strategic in what they were trying to attack on us. That kept us on our toes."
 
The Roadrunners play again Saturday at 4 p.m., when Chadron State comes to the Auraria Event Center on this heels of a big upset win Friday night at Colorado School of Mines.
 
Once again Saturday, the normal pathway to the building entrance will be blocked.
 
Inside, well … you probably understand who will be blocking things.