Box Score (CSU-Pueblo) | Box Score (Adams State)
LAWTON, Okla. -- The Aggie volleyball team closed out the ThunderWolves Classic with another split defeating CSU-Pueblo 3-2 and losing to Adams State in four sets to go 2-2 in the tournament.
In the first match Cameron played tournament host CSU-Pueblo and in a true back and forth match to beat the ThunderWolves, 3-2 (25-20, 26-28, 24-26, 25-20, 15-11).
The opening set started with Cameron going on a 9-1 run after a five attack errors by the ThunderWolves and a pair of kills from Shannon Dulaney gave CU a large enough advantage to hold on to take an early match lead.
Cameron in the second set took an early 8-3 advantage but CSU-Pueblo made the set interesting by taking the next five points tying the set at 8-8. After the tie both teams went back trading points but the Aggies would fall 26-28.
The third set for CU was a turning point of the match where the Aggie needed one point leading 24-20 to take a 2-1 lead over the ThunderWolves but three costly attack errors and a pair of kills gave CSU-Pueblo the 2-1 led instead.
In set four Cameron got off a sluggish start trailing 5-10 early but the Aggies rebounded with 20 kills, a season high .486 attack percentage, tying the match at 2-2. Rebecca Green was a driving force for the turnaround in the set putting up seven kills.
For the third time this season Cameron went to a decisive set five. In the previous two matches the Aggies came up on the losing end, but the third time was the charm. CU went on a late 4-0 run after and broke 11-11 tie to come up with the victory over the ThunderWolves.
"I was glad to see us keep it up and stay in there against CSU-Pueblo,” said head coach Doug Tabbert. “We had chances in sets two and three but we didn’t finish.”
"The team responded well after being down and it was a good win for us. The way that we did it after falling behind and survive against a really good team and on their home court, I’m proud of how we handled ourselves to get the win.”
Rebecca Green put together a career high 26 kills to lead the Aggies, Jenna Risoli had 55 assists, three short of her career high, and Lauren Acuna in her first collegiate start gave Cameron a season high 23 digs.
“This was a big statement for Rebecca tonight,” said Tabbert. “She performed at the expectations we had for her all year."
“Lauren responded really well when we moved her into the libero against CSU-Pueblo and came up big for us tonight."
The second match against Adams State didn't have the outcome Cameron wanted falling 3-1 (15-25, 13-25, 25-21, 12-25). In set three Cameron held onto a four point lead midway but Adams State went on a 4-0 run to even the set. The Aggies pulled way 5-1 with a run after a pair of kills from Evans and three errors by the Grizzles to win the set 25-21.
CU put on a challenge in set four but a 7-0 run by Adams State proved to be too much for the Aggies as they would fall 12-25
Evans led the Aggies offensively with nine kills, while Dulaney and Green both had eight. Risoli was two digs short of a double-double with 25 assists and eight digs.
Cameron was limited to 31 kills and a .016 attack for the match.
Adams State had 51 kills and .254 attack while edging Cameron with seven blocks.
“They (Adams State) were a handful and a really good team,” Tabbert said. “The ball control was a major factor for us in the third set and the hitters did a better job.”
“This was a long trip for us and we played some good teams. The comeback against CSU-Pueblo was big for us and turned what could have been a disappointing weekend into a good one for us.”
The loss put Cameron back to a .500 (4-4) record and will enter Lone Star Conference action next week traveling to Angelo State and Tarleton State.
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