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'Runners clutch in RMAC Crossover
Allison and Wittenburg bring 'steady' play as Metro sweeps road trip
By Eric Lansing
lansing@mscd.edu

Photo by Jenn LeBlanc • jkerriga@mscd.edu Outside hitter Julie Green and middle blocker Kelly Angel go up to block teammate and outside hitter Danielle Myers during a practice at Auraria Event Center Oct. 10. The ‘Runners took three matches at the RMAC Volleyball Crossover in Kearney, Neb. Oct. 6 and 7.

The University of Nebraska-Kearney Health and Sports Center in Kearney, Neb. was the site of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Volleyball Crossover. It is also the home of the Lopers, who are on top of the RMAC standings with a 10-3 record.

Metro did not face off against Nebraska-Kearney, but showed them what is waiting for them in their next meeting on Oct. 27 as they swept three RMAC opponents on Oct. 6 and 7.

“We’re beginning to play steady,” head coach Debbie Hendricks said. “A lot of our opponents made more errors than we did over the weekend.”

The Roadrunners began the crossover with a 30-24, 30-27, 30-25 sweep of Western State, with Metro coming from behind in every game to take home the match. Metro had to rally from a 12-8 deficit in the first game but went on a 13-2 run to give them a 21-14 lead and a 30-24 win.

The second game saw the ’Runners trailing the Mountaineers 12-9 before regaining the lead at 14-13 and never looking back. In the final game Metro came back from deficits of 14-9, 16-13 and 18-16 to win by a five-point margin.

Metro faced what seemed to be an easier team in New Mexico Highlands, who came in with only two RMAC wins. But the Cowgirls gave Metro a run for their money and pushed them in every game, including a second-set win.

Metro took games one, three and four to defeat New Mexico Highlands 30-27, 27-30, 30-26 and 32-30 on Oct. 7.

Outside hitter Stephanie Allison led the way with 19 kills and also contributed nine digs, while middle blocker Megan Wittenburg came through with 11 digs and seven blocks.

“(Wittenberg) did (come up big) in critical times this weekend,” Hendricks said. “Late in games she came through with defensive plays by putting some balls away at the net.”

The third match saw Metro take the first two games with ease against Adams State, 30-22 and 30-12, in their second match of the day.

The ’Runners had to earn the final game, with the Grizzlies taking them well past the 30 mark and Metro winning the match 37-35.

Metro finished with a .344 kill percentage and only 12 errors, while Adams State hit an abysmal .117 and 26 errors.

Setter Stephanie Levi was the star of the match, contributing in all facets of the game. She hit six of nine kills, posting a .667 percentage, with a game-high 42 setups, seven digs and two blocks.

“It’s a fun team,” Hendricks said. “On any given match, certain people can step up, and other people will step up in the next match."

“We are not relying on the same two or three people every single match, so if anyone does focus in on certain players, then we can see other players step up,” Hendricks added.

The sweep improved the ’Runners record to 12-8 overall and a 9-4 record in the RMAC.
Metro is also currently ranked third in the Southwest Region behind No.1 Fort Lewis and Montana State-Billings.

Metro continues their RMAC schedule by taking on CU-Colorado Springs Oct. 13 and Regis University Oct. 14, both at the Auraria Event Center.