DENVER, Colo. – Stubborn defense propelled the No. 14 Angelo State University volleyball team to an undefeated opening day at the Colorado Premier Challenge on Friday, as the Belles held RV Bentley and No. 7 MSU Denver, the defending NCAA Division II national champions, to a combined .096 attack percentage.
With the two victories, the Belles improve to 7-0 to begin the 2026 season and advance to the Gold Bracket of the Colorado Premier Challenge, hosted by MSU Denver and Regis.
MATCH SIX: vs. Bentley – W, 3-1 (19-25, 25-23, 25-10, 25-17)
The Belles faced early adversity against Bentley, as the Falcons closed the opening set on an 8-3 run to steal the frame, 25-19.
Angelo State responded in the second set, racing out to an early lead before holding off a late Bentley rally to even the match at 1-1.
Set three belonged to the Belles, who scored 20 of the first 26 points behind a 10-point run early in the frame. The Blue and Gold carried that momentum into the fourth set, scoring 11 of the first 13 points before once again holding off a late Falcon rally to clinch the match.
As a team, Angelo State hit .270 while holding Bentley to a .118 attack percentage. The Falcons finished with negative attack percentages in both the third and fourth sets.
Sydney Thornton led the Belles with 10 kills while hitting .474 from her middle blocker position.
Madi Parrish followed with 10 kills, while
Leah Klueber and
Vivian Parker added eight and seven kills, respectively, while also posting efficient attack percentages.
Gabi Ashcraft and
Olivia Pena split the setting duties, combining for 36 assists. Ashcraft recorded a double-double with 19 assists and 10 digs, tying
Allie Duitsman for the team lead in digs.
The Belles recorded seven total blocks, with
Hannah Barnhill leading the way with five block assists. Parker, Thornton and
Julia Hopkins each added multiple block assists.
MATCH SEVEN: vs. No. 7 MSU Denver – W, 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-22)
The nightcap featured a rematch of last season's South Central Regional final against the defending national champions, with the Belles taking control from the opening serve.
Angelo State dominated the opening set offensively, outhitting MSU Denver .316 to .000 while taking advantage of Roadrunner attack and service errors to claim the frame, 25-16.
The second and third sets featured more back-and-forth action, but the Belles continued to find ways to close out each frame. Angelo State overcame an early deficit in the second set before holding off a late MSU Denver push in the third to complete the sweep.
The Belles' defense once again proved to be the difference, limiting the Roadrunners to a .074 attack percentage for the match. ASU out blocked the Roadrunners 11-7 with Barnhill collecting six assists with Parker scratching four and Thornton and
Alli Kirkpatrick earning three each.
Parrish led the Belles with 10 kills while collecting two assists and five digs.
Ashcraft notched a second double-double on the day, leading the Blue and Gold with 15 assists and 14 digs. Pena closely followed with 13 assists.
GOLD BRACKET
- Angelo State
- Ferris State
- Lewis
- Wayne State
The Belles will continue competition on Saturday in the Gold Bracket, beginning with a matchup against Lewis at 10 a.m. CT at Regis Field House.
