Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Wyoming
Rams volleyball fends off Cowgirls for sweep
10/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 2, 2009
By Danny Mattie
Athletic Media Relations
LARAMIE, Wyo. – The Colorado State volleyball team extended its win streak to eight matches on Friday night, holding off “Border War” rival Wyoming, 3-0 (26-24, 25-15, 27-25), at the UniWyo Sports Complex.
The Rams, who have won 23 straight in the series, including a 21-0 mark since the formation of the Mountain West Conference in 1999, were forced to come from behind late in Sets 1 and 3, while the using a strong defensive effort in the second set to capture the victory.
After Wyoming stunned the Rams by running out to an 11-6 lead to start the first set, CSU clawed its way back. The Rams forced play to be extended with the fourth-and-final tie of the set, 24-24, and then took their first lead 25-24 on an attack error by Wyoming’s JennaRae Jester. Freshman Megan Plourde and sophomore Katelyn Steffan blocked UW’s Jodi Purdy to secure the victory.
The Rams turned up the defensive intensity in the second set, holding Wyoming -0.54 (8-10-37) hitting efficiency, to come away with the easy 25-15 win. Overall, the Rams held Wyoming to .167 on the night, while hitting at a .252 clip, led by Plourde’s .471 (9-1-17). Plourde also posted five assisted blocks and one solo rejection.
The third-and-final set was reminiscent of the first, but featured eight ties and two lead changes, before the Rams were able to secure the match, 27-25, on a kill by junior Jacque Davisson, who also recorded a team-high 17 digs on the night.
Davisson finished with seven kills, while classmate Danielle Minch posted a match-best 15 kills, to go along with a pair of assisted blocks. Minch hit .323 for the night, finishing just behind Plourde for the Rams’ highest efficiency.
Sophomore setter Evan Sanders, and Wyoming’s Barbara Lasic each posted 35 assists.
With the victory, Colorado State (12-3) moves into a tie with Utah atop the MWC standings at 4-0. Wyoming falls to 9-9 (0-4 MWC).
Colorado State continues play in the MWC next week, traveling to face San Diego State on Thursday, before a Saturday tilt at Air Force.
