By: Zach Carattini, CSC Sports Information
CHADRON, Neb. -- October 8, 2021 -- The Chadron State College volleyball team (3-11, 1-6 RMAC) came up short Friday night in a 3-1 loss to the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls (7-10, 3-4 RMAC) in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference clash.
The Eagles came out strong in the first two sets. In a 26-24 set one loss that featured eight tie scores and five lead changes, the Eagles earned nine kills and only 7 errors.
In a 25-14 set two win, the Eagles dominated on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. They had 14 kills and one error out of 28 total attempts, giving them a season best hit percentage of .464. Outside hitter Amber Harvey was responsible for five kills and zero errors in that set.
Highlands retaliated in sets three and four, winning 25-23 and 25-14. In set three, there were five tie scores and two lead changes. Though both teams had hit percentages of less than .150, CSC was unable to close out as the Cowgirls snuck away with the set win.
Chadron's offensive leader was outside hitter Olivia Moten-Schell, who had her best game of the season. She came up with season-highs of 14 kills and 17 total points.
Numerous Eagles came up with multiple blocks on the night. They were Aiyana Fujiyama (one block solo, four block assists), Audrey Bennett (one block solo, three block assists), Micaiah Vrbka (one block solo, three block assists), and Amber Harvey (three block assists).
"[I] thought we came out really strong and stuck to our game plan," said Head Volleyball Coach Jennifer Stadler. "We got a little timid down the stretch and started making too many errors. We have to play a cleaner match on our side of the court."
The Eagles will return Saturday evening to host Adams State (7-9, 3-4 RMAC) for their Homecoming match.