Golden, Colo.- The University of Findlay women's volleyball team concluded their trip west, as they took on #21 Colorado Mesa before taking on #22 Colorado School of Mines later in the afternoon. Despite dropping the first game to Colorado Mesa, the Oilers rallied to take down Colorado Mesa to round out the Oredigger Classic. Findlay will head home with a 3-1 record.

Game One vs. #21 Colorado Mesa
In their first game of the day, the Oilers fell short in a late game comeback as they dropped the match 3-2 (21-25, 25-12, 25-15, 22-25, 15-10).

The Oilers opened the match by winning set one. Back-and-forth action left Findlay with a three point advantage late in the set with the score at 22-19. Sophomore Alana Pohlman recorded three consecutive kills to take the first set over the Mavericks.

The second and third sets favored Colorado Mesa as they out hit the Oilers substantially. In the second set, the Mavericks hit .438 while Findlay struggled, hitting just .056. The same was seen in the third set as Colorado Mesa hit an impressive .577.

The fourth set was a tight battle as neither team held more than a four point lead. With the score in Findlay's favor at 23-22, Pohlman was able to make the kill, leading to  match point. A service ace by senior Alyssa Rhodes forced the match to a fifth set. 

Colorado Mesa took the lead early in the fifth. A four point run put the Mavericks ahead and the Oilers were never able to make up that ground, ultimately falling 15-10 in the final set. 

Findlay hit .229 as a team, recording 61 kills with 25 errors. Meanwhile Colorado Mesa hit .355, recording 62 kills with 13 errors.

Leading Findlay was freshman Kirsten Bomholt who recorded another stellar performance for the Orange and Black. The Versailles, Ohio native amassed a season-high 19 kills while hitting .302. 

She was assisted by Alana Pohlman who added twelve kills while hitting .179. Pohlman also chipped in with two blocks. Freshman Hannah Miller also had another impressive showing. She recorded ten kills while adding eleven digs.

Sophomore Emma White led the team in assists with 52, she also added eight digs. The leader in digs was junior Ava Doster who recorded 17. 

Game Two vs. #22 Colorado Mines
The second game of the day was the Oiler's third sweep of the Oredigger Classic, winning over the Orediggers 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-23).

Errors haunted both teams in the first set but despite hitting just .097 in the first set, Findlay was able to hold off the Mines who recorded a .000 hitting percentage. 
The Oilers found momentum in the second set as they 6-0 run early to take the lead. However, the Orediggers cut into Findlay's lead as they 6-0 run of their own to tie the set at 23. A kill by sophomore Alana Pohlman followed by an ace from Ava Doster gave the Oilers the set.

Findlay trailed early in the third set as the Orediggers scored seven unanswered points to open the set. The Oilers then rallied to tie the set at 19. The set would be tied four more times before a block by sophomores Emma White and Kenzie Hoelscher gave Findlay the sweep.

As a team Findlay hit just .194, recording 14 kills with 20 errors. On the other side Colorado School of Mines hit .123, recording 36 kills with 22 errors.  

Once again leading the Oilers were freshmen Kirsten Bomholt and Hannah Miller. Both chipped in eleven kills a piece. Bomholt hit .100 while Miller recorded a .357 hitting percentage. 

Sophomore Alana Pohlman chipped in with eight kills while Lauren Foerster added six. Sophomore Emma White recorded 35 assists while also leading the team in digs with twelve.

After the conclusion of the tournament, freshman Kirsten Bomholt and junior Ava Doster were named to the Oredigger Classic all-tournament team.

Quote from Assistant Coach Hannah Tong
"Overall, we had a great opening weekend due to our ability to serve aggressively and pass well. We played against some very competitive programs that will prepare us for our Great Midwest schedule."

The Oilers will be back in action as they host the Findlay Classic in Croy Gymnasium, Sep. 7- Sep. 9. For more information on the event CLICK HERE.