DENVER — In a tense, back-and-forth NCAA South Central Regional semifinal, the Roadrunners outlasted No. 4 seed West Texas A&M 3–1 (25-15, 17-25, 25-23, 25-23) to earn their fifth straight regional finals appearance and move to 28–3 overall this season. The victory also marks MSU Denver's second consecutive year eliminating WTAMU from the postseason — a significant turnaround after the Lady Buffs ended MSU Denver's season three straight times from 2021–23.
The Roadrunners will now face Angelo State on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Auraria Event Center, a rematch of last year's regional final. Angelo State won that meeting on its home floor — and now MSU Denver gets the chance to return the favor.
Just as expected between two national powers, nearly every set came down to late points and high-pressure swings.
MSU Denver opened the first set with one of its most dominant frames of the postseason, hitting .571 and rolling to a 25–15 win. The tone shifted in the second, where West Texas A&M responded with its own efficiency and evened the match.
Sets three and four, saw long rallies, momentum swings, and late-set toughness. There were 28 tie scores and 6 lead changes across the final two sets alone as both teams traded blows point for point.
The Roadrunners found the extra push they needed with big swings, and clutch defense — to win both sets 25–23 and secure their 18th consecutive victory.
All six Roadrunners who registered a kill finished with at least eight, showcasing one of MSU Denver's most complete offensive efforts of the season.
Brooke Gennerman delivered one of the best postseason matches of her young career, finishing with 16 kills, her second-most in any match this season.
Annika Helf powered the attack once again, posting 22 kills and 8 digs, continuing her standout postseason run.
Middle blocker Alyssa Boyte was a force in the middle, recording 11 kills on .381 hitting along with 4 total blocks, helping the Roadrunners win key points late in sets.
Setter GabriElle Brewer notched a double-double of her own with 33 assists and 10 digs, while fellow setter Karyna Werley tied a career high with 35 assists and added 8 kills. Together, the pair directed an offense that produced 69 assists — the team's second-highest total of the year.
With the win, MSU Denver advances to the South Central Regional Championship for the fifth consecutive season — and remains just one victory away from the program's first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
The Roadrunners will face Angelo State at 5 p.m. Saturday inside the Auraria Event Center.
