COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – No. 19-ranked MSU Denver overcame a second-set setback to defeat rival UCCS 3-1 on Tuesday night at the Gallogly Events Center, winning 25-23, 14-25, 25-17, 27-25 to improve to 6-4 overall and 2-0 in RMAC play.
The Roadrunners opened the match by taking a tightly contested first set, 25-23, before UCCS answered with a 25-14 win in the second. MSU Denver responded emphatically after the break, hitting .270 in the third set and .121 in the fourth to close out the four-set victory.
MSU Denver has now taken down the Mountain Lions in 15 consecutive matches, dating back to November of 2015.
Brooke Gennerman led the Roadrunners with 14 kills while adding two block assists. Kami Scott followed with 12 kills and three block assists, while Mayah Pridgett turned in one of the team's most efficient offensive performances, recording 11 kills on 21 attacks with just three errors for a team-best .381 hitting percentage.
At the net, Trynity Martin provided a strong defensive presence with a team-high five block assists and one solo block. Martin also contributed seven kills on 19 attacks, helping the Roadrunners maintain pressure throughout the match.
GabriElle Brewer once again directed the MSU Denver offense, finishing with 42 assists, while adding four kills, eight digs, three block assists and two service aces. Megan Hagar supplied three of the Roadrunners' six service aces and also collected 10 digs.
MSU Denver finished the night with a significant offensive advantage, recording 52 kills to UCCS' 31 and hitting .157 as a team compared with .072 for the Mountain Lions. The Roadrunners also totaled 15 team blocks and 52 digs.
The fourth set provided a fitting finish to a competitive rivalry match. After UCCS forced the set beyond 25 points, the Roadrunners secured the final two points to take the set 27-25 and complete the victory. The match featured 23 tie scores and 12 lead changes, including 12 ties in the fourth set alone.
With the victory, MSU Denver moves to 2-0 in RMAC play and 6-4 overall.
