Courtesy of Colorado State Athletics –
Colorado State to face No. 2 San Jose State in Mountain West Tournament final
After dropping the first set to the Aztecs, the Rams bounced back in a back-and-forth match, featuring 32 tie scores and 16 lead changes, securing the victory to survive and advance.
Malaya Jones led the way for the Rams, totaling 17 kills while also adding five service aces to put together multiple key service runs into the Colorado State offense.
San Diego State’s defense kept the Aztecs competitive throughout the match after Colorado State split the two matchups with the Aztecs earlier in the season. After hitting under .200 in the first two sets of the match, the Rams were able to stay determined on defense, out-digging San Diego State 59-56, to improve their hitting percentage to .244 by the end of the match.
Pre-game, coach Emily Kohan credited the Rams ability to win in the regular season in multiple different statistic capacities. Even though the Rams totaled two less kills than San Diego State, a strong serving presence across the team and consistent play from both middle blockers Karina Leber and Naeemah Weathers propelled the Rams to a four-set victory.
Leber finished the day with 11 kills on a .348 clip while Weathers added nine kills on a .500 hitting percentage.
Fifth-year setter Emery Herman distributed the offense for the Rams including assisting at least seven kills to all five of her hitters, totaling 44 assists by the end of the match.
The serve and pass game was especially strong for the Rams as well, receiving at a .940 percentage while adding 10 teams aces on the offensive side of the service line.
Winning with set scores of 20-25, 25-23, 25-21 and 25-23, the Rams will advance to the championship game against No. 2 San Jose State Saturday at 3 p.m. MT.
