DENVER – The MSU Denver women's volleyball team continued its reign over the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference on Saturday night, defeating Colorado Mesa 3-1 (18-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-20) inside the Auraria Event Center to capture its third consecutive RMAC Tournament Championship.
In her first season as head coach, Stacie Meisner has continued the championship tradition of the Roadrunners program, guiding MSU Denver to its 10th RMAC Tournament title overall.
The Roadrunners have now won 15 consecutive matches and finish the season 19-2 against RMAC opponents heading into NCAA Regionals.
Colorado Mesa struck first, taking the opening set 25-18, but the Roadrunners quickly responded. MSU Denver evened the match with a 25-18 second-set victory, using a more efficient offensive attack to take control. The Roadrunners recorded 15 kills while hitting .394 in the second set, setting the tone for the remainder of the championship match.
MSU Denver carried that momentum into the third set, putting together its strongest offensive performance of the night. The Roadrunners tallied 17 kills while hitting an impressive .500, pulling away for a 25-16 victory to take a 2-1 match advantage.
The Roadrunners closed out the championship in the fourth set, overcoming a competitive Colorado Mesa squad to secure a 25-20 victory and the tournament title.
Hayden Liebsack led the Roadrunners with 19 kills, adding 10 digs, two service aces and two block assists to record a double-double in the championship match. Her performance over the last three matches earned her RMAC Tournament Most Valuable Player honors.
Brooke Gennerman also delivered a standout performance, finishing with 15 kills on an impressive .542 hitting percentage while adding 11 digs and two block assists. Kami Scott contributed 10 kills, while Alivia Huxoll added eight kills while hitting .412.
GabriElle Brewer directed the Roadrunners' offense with 23 assists and contributed three service aces and eight digs. Addi Schreurs added 16 assists and three service aces, while Emerson Dillon recorded 11 digs.
At the net, Mayah Pridgett once again led MSU Denver with five block assists, helping the Roadrunners finish with 14 total blocks.
Following the championship victory, four Roadrunners were named to the RMAC All-Tournament Team: GabriElle Brewer, Brooke Gennerman, Kamdyn Scott and Hayden Liebsack, who was selected as the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
With the victory, MSU Denver captures its third straight RMAC Tournament Championship and 10th overall, continuing a championship tradition that has made the Roadrunners one of the conference's premier volleyball programs. Under Meisner's leadership, the Roadrunners now turn their attention to the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament.
The NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday night at 8 p.m., when MSU Denver will learn its postseason destination as it looks to carry its 15-match winning streak into the NCAA Regionals.
