Kim Vilapando
The Paw Print
The Adams State College Grizzlies volleyball team had a rough opening weekend as they went 1-3 at the Nebraska-Omaha Showcase. They competed against top-notch teams and definitely had their work cut out for them as they took on Northwest Missouri State, Minnesota-Duluth, Northern State, and Newman.
The women had an amazing start to the weekend, as they were able to push the game to five sets (15-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-23,15-12) against Northwest Missouri State, and coming out on top. This was the first season-opener victory the Grizzles have had over the Bearcats, and the first season-opener victory since 2007.
The Grizzlies fell short their second match against Minnesota Duluth, in only three sets (25-14, 25-20, 25-20). Duluth, according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association NCAA Division II, are ranked ninth in the country.
The women then suffered another loss against Northern State in four sets. The ladies didn’t go down without a fight. Dominic Davis had 17 kills, and 25 digs came from A.J. Palmer.
The last match of the weekend was a battle against Newman (Kans.). Going three tough sets, the ladies fell short of victory to the Wolves (25-22, 25-19, 25-23). Davis had eight more kills along with freshmen middle hitter Megan Tapia.
Be sure to keep up with the ladies this weekend as they compete in the Colorado Premier Challenge, to be co-hosted by Metro State and Regis in Denver. The Grizzlies will face three-time defending NCAA Division II National Champions Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.), who are ranked number one in the nation and West Florida, who is ranked number 25 in the nation in pool play at noon and 3:30 p.m., respectively, Friday in the Regis Fieldhouse. The results from those matches and those from the other three 3-team pools will determine, who, when, and where the Grizzlies will play on Saturday in the bracketed portion of the tournament.
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