Junior Jessica Howe's Career High 26 Kills Propels Rangers to 3-1 Victory Over Western State

Gunnison, Colo.: Junior All-American Jessica Howe's career-high 26 kills helped the Regis Ranger volleyball team dispense of Western State 3-1 in the first of their three matches in three nights.  Regis lost the first set 25-21 but came back to win the next three 25-20, 25-21, 25-18.

Regis (11-8, 9-2 RMAC), who are ranked seventh in the first NCAA Central Region poll, lost the first set despite hitting .302 with just three errors.  Howe had six kills in the set also helping Regis to three blocks.

In the second set Regis hit even better at .316 and Howe went crazy with nine kills in 18 attempts.  Western State (3-16, 3-8 RMAC) hit well at .212 but couldn't match the Ranger offense.  Regis scored 18 of their 25 points on kills.

Regis had 18 more kills in the third set and also had an astounding 27 digs seven each by freshman Katie Hudencial and sophomore Cassidee Young.  Young finished the match with a career-high 25 digs.  The Rangers registered four blocks in set number three and Howe put down seven kills.

The fourth set saw a more balanced attack as freshman Catilin McDonnell came in to put down five kills, while Howe had four and sophomore Lyz Kann contributed three kills.  Regis had 16 more kills and three more blocks to win for the ninth time in the last 11 matches.

Following Howe in double figures was Kann with 12 kills, while juniors Kerry Grady and Erin Anderson chipped in with seven kills apiece.  The 68 kills were a season-high for the Rangers beating the 66 the Rangers tallied against Fort Lewis last Saturday.

Regis tied their season-high with 12 blocks, also set last Saturday against Fort Lewis.  Howe had six blocks, while Anderson and Kann each collected five.  Young's 25 digs paced the Rangers, while Hudencial picked up 12 and junior Devin Eckhardt had another double-double with 51 assists and 10 digs.  Howe just missed her first career double-double with nine digs, while junior Sarah Keiter had nine digs also.

Regis will travel back across the mountains to play in Pueblo against CSU-Pueblo on Friday evening.

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