Rams win 15th straight

The CSU women’s volleyball team steamrolled through another

match, defeating the University of Denver on Tuesday night in

Hamilton Gym in Denver.

The Pioneers (16-13) fell to the Rams in three games (30-21,

30-24, 30-28) and became another statistic for the Rams who

improved their record to 22-4 and lengthened their winning streak

to 15 games.

The No. 15 Rams held their in-state rivals at bay with junior

middle blocker Katie Jo Shirley leading the way. Shirley, this

week’s co-Mountain West Conference Player of the Week, hit .650

with 14 kills. Sophomores Andreya Downs and Tess Rogers each had 11

kills and junior middle blocker Bri Frech led both teams with eight

digs while hitting .533 for the match.

As a team the Rams hit .330 with six service aces and 35

digs.

“Our middle blockers were great for us tonight,” said head coach

Tom Hilbert, Tuesday after the match. “Katie Jo was completely

unstoppable, and Bri did a great job hitting the slide tonight. Dre

also had a great match.”

DU’s freshman outside hitter Lisa Hunter led the Pioneers with

nine kills and seven digs. Junior middle blocker Kelli Rudelson hit

a team-high .357 with three blocks.

The Pioneer offense was no match for the Rams. Denver was held

to a .183 hitting percentage with three service aces and nine

service errors.

The Rams host the final weekend of regular season play in Moby

Arena, where they will look to complete the Mountain West season

undefeated. They face the Air Force Academy and the University of

New Mexico on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Both game times

are set for 7 p.m.