Grizzlies fall in three to top-ranked Lopers
KEARNEY, Neb.— The Adams State College Grizzlies ventured into dangerous territory Friday night, taking on the University of Nebraska-Kearney in the Lopers' home gym, and the experience was not a good one for Coach Katie Moskowitz and the rest of the Grizzly volleyball team.
UNK, the top-rated team in the nation, used solid hitting performances from outside hitters Erin Arnold and Ashley Solt along with middle blocker Erin Gudmundson to improve to 21-0 on the season with the 30-15, 30-14, 30-15 win. Playing to a full house of 1,208 on homecoming weekend, the Loper trio combined for 37 of UNK's 54 total kills on the night, leading the team to a .392 hitting percentage.
Arnold, who is chasing the Lopers' career kills record, had 13 kills and hit .407 in a double-double effort (13 digs), while Gudmundson added another 11 kills to go along with four blocks. Solt nearly had a career night, recording 13 kills, just two shy of her personal best, while hitting a solid .545.
In contrast, the Grizzlies had one of their worst hitting nights of the season, hitting just .066 on the evening. Junior middle blocker Kallee Bingham had nine kills and a .227 hitting percentage to lead the way for ASC. The 6-0 Mesa, Ariz. native was one of just two Grizzlies to hit better than .200, joining senior setter Monica Garcia who had two kills in nine attempts to go along with just 25 assists.
The Lopers had the big advantage at the net in both kills and blocks, posting a 10-3 advantage on the stops. UNK also held a 67-52 edge in digs over the Grizzlies, who got 13 apiece from Jocelyn Garcia and Carly Simpson and 10 from sophomore Sheena Brundage.
ASC fell to 11-6 overall and 6-4 in RMAC play with the loss. The Grizzlies will try to bounce back against yet another tough opponent as they will face 13th-ranked Fort Hays State on the road on Saturday. UNK will look to stay undefeated when they host Fort Lewis, who dropped a four-game decision to FHSU on Friday.
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