Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
10-3,3-0Pac-12
Gonzaga
5-10,0-3Pac-12
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado St. | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 15 | 3 |
| Gonzaga | 25 | 23 | 12 | 26 | 12 | 2 |
Rams Outlast Gonzaga in Five-Set Standoff
10/1/2026 11:14:00 PM | Volleyball
Colorado State comes out on top in hard-fought road matchup
SPOKANE, Wash. — Colorado State volleyball defeated Gonzaga 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 25-12, 24-26, 15-12) on the road Thursday in a competitive match fueled by strong defensive performances from both teams.Â
Gonzaga looked sharp in the first set, taking an early 9-7 lead over CSU. The Rams rallied to tie the set 10-10 behind a block by Erin Debiec and Kekua Richards, a Richards kill, and a Halle Jameson kill. Ella Stowell put down a kill from Karsyn Fetzer, giving CSU a two-point lead. Gonzaga later moved in front 17-16, but Eve Wilson answered with back-to-back blocks before Stowell added another kill for a 19-17 CSU lead. CSU continued to answer late with kills by Wilson, Richards and Stowell to tie the set at 20-20, 21-21 and 22-22, but Gonzaga scored three of the final four points to finish the set with a 25-23 win.Â
Looking to bounce back from a tough first set, the Rams answered Gonzaga's 3-0 start and later closed a 15-12 gap behind a Jameson kill, a Hayden Grimes ace, and a block by Wilson and Debiec. Facing a 20-17 deficit midway through the second set, the Rams capitalized on a dynamic series from Debiec, who served four straight points including a Richards kill and a service ace, giving CSU a 22-20 lead. After Gonzaga tied the set at 22-22, Sofia Zabjek answered with a kill and CSU reached set point on a Gonzaga attack error. Gonzaga got one point back, but Richards finished the set with a kill from Debiec, earning the Rams a 25-23 win.Â
The Rams created separation to start the third set, with Zabjek contributing three kills and joining Richards on an opening block, while Grimes and Debiec each added service aces. CSU answered Gonzaga's push to 12-9 with a block from Jameson and Richards, a Jameson kill and another Zabjek kill to maintain control at 16-11. Jameson delivered the side out kill that made it 18-12, then served the final seven points, a closing stretch that included her ace, two kills from Debiec, a Silvie Graetzer kill and back-to-back Stowell kills to finish the set. The Rams closed the third set with a 25-12 victory.Â
The Rams fell behind early in the fourth set after a series of Gonzaga points and errors but answered with kills from Richards and Stowell to keep to stay within reach. Fetzer's serve helped drive a four-point stretch from 15-9 to 15-13, with Fetzer adding an ace, Wilson recording a kill and combining with Zabjek on a block before Jameson finished the run with a kill. CSU continued to answer late in the set, tying the set at 17-17, 18-18, 20-20 and 21-21 before Jameson's kill and a Zabjek-Wilson block helped push the Rams ahead 24-22, but Gonzaga closed with two kills and two CSU attack errors to take the set 26-24.Â
In the fifth set, CSU overcame a 2-0 start and moved ahead 3-2 behind back-to-back kills from Wilson, both assisted by Debiec. After Gonzaga tied the set at 5-5, Jameson answered with a kill, Debiec followed with a kill from Fetzer, and Wilson added another to push the Rams in front 8-5. The Rams continued to find key swings through Jameson, Stowell, Richards and Wilson, while Zabjek's block pushed the margin to 14-9. Gonzaga scored the next three points, but Wilson finished the set with a kill and CSU emerged with a 15-12 win, ending the fifth set and emerging the victors of a hard-fought match.Â
CSU Top PerformersÂ
- Halle Jameson: Season-high 17 digs, 17 kills, 20 points, two service aces, surpassed 500 career pointsÂ
- Eve Wilson: Season-high 19.5 points, 14 kills, eight blocks, including three solo blocksÂ
- Erin Debiec: Season-high 53 assists, 16 digs, three service acesÂ
- Karsyn Fetzer: Career-high 24 digs, five assists, two service acesÂ
- Ella Stowell: 13 kills, 14.5 points, two blocksÂ
- Sofia Zabjek: Recorded first solo block of the season
- As a team, the Rams recorded a season high of nine service aces in the match. Â
Up Next: The Rams will remain on the road and travel to Logan, Utah Saturday to face Utah State, with first serve set for 12:00 PM. Â
