Dominique Davis
The Paw Print
The Grizzlies set off this week for the NCAA tournament in Denver for the first time in school history. The Grizzlies found out that they would be playing the Angelo State Belles at Regis University last Sunday and had been anxious ever since.
The Grizzlies were more than ready to play on Thursday night in the big city of Denver. They were even more excited to play in a gym that they had not been in for over two years, against a team they had not played in two years.
The whole environment and feel of this Regional tournament was something new and extremely exciting for the Grizzlies and something that they have prepared for many months.
Thursday night in the Regis University Fieldhouse, the Grizzlies went head to head with the Belles from Angelo State University. It was no longer an RMAC team across the net anymore like the Grizzlies were used to, it was someone new. It was the ASU vs. ASU game, one that was much anticipated by both teams, both sets of coaches, and both crowds.
Although both teams played their hearts out knowing that it could be the last for either team, the Grizzlies fell to the Belles in three games, something that the Grizzlies did not want. The Angelo State University Belles came out on top on Thursday night with a close three game 24-26, 20-25, 26-28 victory over the Grizzlies. Although the Grizzlies weren’t able to get their first ever NCAA Division II tournament win, they gave it all that they had on Thursday night and throughout their whole season and definitely have a lot to be proud of. After Thursday night’s loss, senior libero Valerie Garcia (Colorado Springs, Colo.) said, “I think that we couldn’t have asked anything more of our teammates against Angelo State and throughout the whole season.
Everyone gave their 100% and it’s something that we can take away from this season to use as motivation for the next.” This ASU volleyball team has made a lot of “firsts” happen during this 2012 season and have made themselves and others very proud.
The Grizzlies also finished with their best season since 1993, a 24-6 overall record and their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance. They also won the West Division Championship. Angelo State improved to 28-5 overall and will be moving on to the semifinal round of the South Central Regional Tournament.
Senior outside hitter Dominique Davis (Denver, Colo.) became ASU’s all-time career kills leader on Thursday night. Davis tallied 18 kills and 10 digs with a .342 hitting percentage. Davis finished her four year career with 1,434 kills. She also had four service aces on Thursday night. Junior setter Gabriella Rifilato (Bayfield, Colo.) also set a record as she had two more service aces to reach the 50-mark for the season.
She also had 39 assist and seven digs. Senior Valerie Garcia and junior Letisha Spencer (Rio Rancho, New Mexico) both had nine digs. Spencer also had seven kills. Juniors Megan Tapia (Pueblo, Colo.) and Deprece Washington (Johnstown, Colo.) both combined for 17 kills on the night.
The Grizzlies had an amazing ride this season and are determined to work that much harder during the off season to make it even farther next season. They have a lot of talent and a lot of ambition that will definitely help them get to where they want to go.
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