DURANGO, Colo. – The Black Hills State University volleyball team defeated Fort Lewis College in five sets by a score of 3-2 on Friday evening.

The Yellow Jackets won sets two, three, and five and lost sets one and four. Scores went as follows: 25-22, 26-24, 25-29, 25-18, and 15-7.

After falling in the first set, the two teams traded off points until 22-all in set two. The Yellow Jackets took a 23-22 lead off a kill by Cheyenne Palu. However, the Skyhawks were not going down without a fight, as a block by Emily Dellenbach tied the set for Fort Lewis at 23-all. Kenzie Kazmer came through for BHSU as they went ahead once again at 24-23. From there, Fort Lewis tied the set again off a kill by Laine Waters to force a win by two situation. BHSU came through to win the set off a kill by Kazmer and a service ace by Laurel Lech to win the set, 26-24, and tie the match, 1-1.

In set three, the two teams traded off points until 13-all, when BHSU took the lead off a kill by Sierra Stugelmeyer at 14-13. From there, the Yellow Jackets kept the lead to close out the set at 25-19, and take the lead in the match, 2-1.

With the Green and Gold leading the match heading into set four, the two teams traded off points until 9-all, when the Skyhawks went on a 4-0 run to lead, 13-9. The Yellow Jackets ended the run off a kill by Laurel Lech to trail, 13-10. However, that was not enough, as Fort Lewis ended the set, 25-18, and tied the match, 2-2, to force a set five.

In the fifth set, the Green and Gold got out to a 4-0 lead causing Fort Lewis to take a timeout. After the timeout, a kill by Bailey Longacre ended the run for BHSU. However, that was not enough as a 6-0 run helped the Yellow Jackets end the match. Cheyenne Palu started the run to increase the lead to 5-2. The four other points came from two kills by Ellise Lech, one kill by Palu, another off an error by the Skyhawks, and the final point of the run came from a service ace by Reilley Baty. That was enough to win the set, 15-7, and end the match at 3-2.

Ellise Lech led the way on offense with 16 kills, while Kenzie Kazmer tallied 11 and Palu had 10. Laurel Lech registered 43 assists.

L. Lech led the defense with 21 digs, registering another career double-double. Sydney Ederhoff was right behind with 20 digs. Fehrin Ward assisted on the defense recording five blocks.

"Tonight was a battle. I thought we played aggressive at times and then safe at times," said head coach Kristin Carmichael. "All RMAC road wins are big and it is a great confidence booster for the start of our season."

The Green and Gold improve to 4-5 on the season and 1-0 in conference action, while Fort Lewis falls to 5-4 overall and 0-1 in conference.

Black Hills State returns to action on Saturday, September 16, to take on Adams State. First serve is set for 5 p.m.