DENVER – The No. 6 ranked MSU Denver volleyball team closed out a long day at the Auraria Event Center with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Ferris State (25-17, 12-25, 25-18, 25-23) in the silver bracket championship match on Saturday night at the Colorado Premier Challenge. The win came just hours after the Roadrunners edged West Texas A&M in a thrilling five-set battle earlier in the day.
Against Ferris State, the Roadrunners leaned on a balanced attack, as four players finished with double-digit kills. Brooke Gennerman had one of her best outings of the young season, hitting .296 with 12 kills, while Karyna Werley added 11 kills on .370 hitting to go with 21 assists.
Annika Helf and Alivia Huxoll chipped in nine and seven kills, respectively. Setter GabriElle Brewer directed the offense with 18 assists and three aces, and the Roadrunners hit .199 as a team while holding Ferris State to .164.
The result capped a statement day for MSU Denver. In the morning, the Roadrunners prevailed 3-2 (23-25, 25-13, 24-26, 25-18, 15-12) over perennial Division II power West Texas A&M in a match that featured 34 ties and 12 lead changes.
The Roadrunners had four players reach double-digit kills, led by Annika Helf's 21 kills and 23 digs, giving the senior outside hitter another standout performance following her record-setting 30-kill effort on Friday.
Werley added 15 kills and four service aces, while Kryssa Moerman hit an impressive .588 with 11 kills on 17 swings. Alyssa Boyte chipped in eight kills and seven blocks.
Brewer directed the attack with 35 assists and three aces, while libero Mia Accomazzo anchored the defense with 10 digs.
MSU Denver finished with 73 kills on .259 hitting compared to West Texas A&M's 53 kills on .186.
The match was tight throughout, with 34 ties and 12 lead changes, but the Roadrunners came through in the decisive fifth set, hitting .440 to close out the win.
With the two victories, MSU Denver improved to 7-1 overall and capped off another impressive showing at the Colorado Premier tournament.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
MVP: Abigail Nua (Point Loma)
Annika Helf (MSU Denver)
Makenna Nold (Concordia)
Gabi Moulton (West Florida)
Taylor Russell (Missouri)
Sophia Baugh (Point Loma)
Madi Parrish (Angelo)
Chloe Hanel (Wayne State)
Kelsey Cooper (Concordia)
Gabby Piazza (Ferris State)
Kumara Flanagain (West Florida)
Karyna Werley (MSU Denver)
Macy Reynolds (Point Loma)
