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by Danny Holland- The Metropolitan
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| Senior Devon Herron (11) celebrates with teammates
after a point in the first game of the first round of the RMAC
Tournament, Nov. 14 at the Auraria Events Center. The ‘Runners
beat Chadron State 3-1, the first win of three in an eventual
capturing of the RMAC title. |
The Roadrunners are the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Champions
for the third season in a row. Metro defeated Chadron State, Regis,
and Nebraska-Kearney last weekend.
Senior Shawna Gilbert was deemed Tournament MVP.
The Roadrunners beat the Chadron State Eagles 3-1 Friday, Nov. 14,
in the first RMAC championship match.
Chadron gave little resistance during the first two games, as Metro
took them with ease. The Eagles scored the first point of the game,
but Metro led 10-5 within the first 10 minutes. It was a fast scoring
game, and the Eagles quickly caught up, but it wasn’t enough.
The Roadrunners won game one, 30-20.
The Roadrunners displayed more energy than most regular-season games.
The players were aggressive and relentless, guarding their side of
the net and racking up the kills against Chadron.
Sophomore outside hitter Sheena McLaughlin said the energy level was
a product of the team’s jubilation.
“We knew how far we could go…we were very excited,”
said McLaughlin.
She says no matter how serious the game is, be it regular season,
conference, or Regional game. “Every game, every point, every
match matters,” McLaughlin said.
Game two was won quickly, but the score was kept tight in the beginning.
Metro scored the opening point and rapidly scored on the Eagles. Halfway
through, Metro had 15 points to Chadron’s six, but the final
score was 30-14.
Chadron came back with no mercy in game three, winning a close game.
The Eagles’ aggression kicked in to full effect in game three,
keeping the score tight as the ball went back and forth across the
net. Overall, the score was kept within a one or two-point range,
and the final score was 27-30.
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“We knew how
far we could go...we were very excited.”
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Sheena McLaughlin - outside hitter
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Game four was also a close game, and won fairly quickly. Metro won
the final game, 30-24, eliminating Chadron State from the championship.
“This is what we play for all year long,” said Debbie
Hendricks, head coach, about the RMAC championship.
Hendricks was pleased with how the team played the match against
Chadron, and predicts the rest of the season will go just as well.
“I think we’ll see this energy throughout the rest of
the season,” Hendricks said.
The Roadrunners defeated the Regis University Rangers 3-0 Saturday,
eliminating the Rangers and sending the ‘Runners to the finals.
Metro won matches one and two 30-25, and match three 30-24.
Metro won the championship by defeating the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers,
3-1, Sunday, Nov. 16.
The Roadrunners won the first two games, 31-29, and 30-27. The Lopers
came back in the third, securing the game 24-30. Metro’s determination
returned, and won game four, 31-29.
“It was quite an accomplishment,” Hendricks said.
“It says a lot about our kids (players) and commitment.”
“We were confident and ready, but physically, we showed some
fatigue,” she said.
One disadvantage during the game was the team’s lack of communication,
she said.
Sophomore Renee Hazlewood said the most challenging and exciting
match out of the RMAC championship was against the Lopers. Metro will
be hosting the NCAA Division II Southwest Regional Volleyball Tournament,
and Hazlewood says she looks forward to it.
“It (RMAC championship) makes us a lot more confident about
the Regional because we’re going to host it,” Hazlewood
said.
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