Eagles v’ballers hope for miracle vs. Colorado Christian

After a four-game losing streak on the home court, the Eagle volleyball team will travel Friday to Lakewood, Colo., to take on the Cougars of Colorado Christian University. First serve’s up at 6 p.m. The Cougars played against three of the teams that beat the Eagles in late September’s four-game home stand.

The Cougars held their own against Metropolitan State University of Denver in five sets. The Eagles lost to Metro State in four sets.

The Cougars lost to Regis University of Denver, and University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, which leaves the Eagles with a glimmer of hope for a win this coming weekend.

Although the Eagles failed to steal a win from the UCCS Mountain Lions, the team’s performance was nothing to be ashamed about.

UCCS served as tough competition, but the Eagles fought back. Throughout Saturday’s four-set match, there were 19 ties and nine lead changes.

Outside hitter, Erika Roybal, junior of Denver, led the Eagles with 12 kills, but the rest of her team was not far behind. Middle hitter, Jessica Jester, senior of Cheyenne, Wyo.; outside hitter, Hanna Flaming, junior of Benton, Kan.; outside hitter, Barbie DeCent, senior of Paxton; and middle hitter, Alia Brennan, freshman of Chadron, all followed Roybal with eight kills each. Brennan also led the team with four blocks.

Brennan has totaled 60 kills and 36 blocks for the season.

“It is definitely exciting to be in my situation right now,” Brennan said. “I am so thankful that my teammates really don’t care that I am a freshman.”

Brennan said she has high expectations for the team going into this weekend’s match against the Cougars.

“I’m hoping this weekend we can keep progressing in our play and continue to have a great time doing it!” she said.

DeCent, another instrumental player for the Eagles, was selected as CSC player of the week.

In the matches last week against Black Hills State University, Spearfish, S.D., and UCCS, DeCent posted 19 kills, four blocks, six digs, and four set assists. She hit .176 for the week.

DeCent did not see this honor coming.

“Getting Player of the Week was a surprise to me, but I was happy and honored to receive it,” she said. “I was not expecting this honor.”

DeCent said she has lofty goals for herself and the team going into the match this weekend.

“My expectations for myself going into the game against the Cougars are to play to my full potential, push myself to the limit, and stay focused to help our team to come out on top,” DeCent said. “Also, I expect the team to play together as a whole and win.”