DENVER, Colo. – The third ranked Lewis women's volleyball team split a pair of matches on the final day of the Colorado Premiere Challenge in Denver, Colo. The Flyers (6-2) dropped the first match of the day to Texas A&M-Commerce 3-2 (25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 22-25, 12-15) and then held on to defeat Colorado Christian 3-2 (25-20, 25-17, 21-25, 23-25, 15-11).

Lewis outhit the Lions (5-2) for the match in the opener .162-to-.118 but Commerce recorded 42 kills to only 48 for the Flyers. Elizabeth Hyland (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) finished with a match-high 17 kills while Caroline Stefanon (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) added nine kills and Alexandra Preuss (Elmhurst, Ill./York) finished with eight kills. Abby Becker (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) distributed 32 assists and Ronni Katarzynski (Winfield, Ill./West Chicago) had a match-high 22 digs.

In its second match of the day, Lewis got off to a strong start winning the first two sets 25-20 and 25-17 but the Cougars (2-7) rallied to win the next two sets to force the winner take all fifth set. In the final set the Flyers ended the match on a 9-3 run to overcome an 8-6 deficit to win 15-11. Hyland had three kills in that run with Tori Foster (Munster, Ind./Munster) and Colleen Wilhelm (Euclid, Ohio/Lake Catholic) adding one kill apiece. Stefanon and Preuss also teamed up for a key block to give Lewis match point.

Colleen Wilhelm (Euclid, Ohio/Lake Catholic) finished with a career-high 20 kills to lead three players in double figures. Preuss and Hyland added 11 kills each. Becker handed out 47 assists while Katarzynski had 24 digs.

The Flyers host Truman State in their home and conference opener this Friday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. at Neil Carey Arena.