PUEBLO, Colo. (Sept. 11) – The TWU volleyball team cruised to two wins on the first of the Steel & Silver Classic with a pair of three-set victories.  The Pioneers defeated Western State, 25-17, 25-21, and 25-18, before knocking off the host Colorado State-Pueblo, 25-18, 25-20, and 25-18.
 
Against Western State, freshman Makayla Mayfield led the team on offense with 11 kills and a .323 hitting percentage.  Senior Torie Talkington and junior Mallory Kuechle both recorded double digit digs on defense with 11 and 10 respectively.  Senior Joey Redwine ran the offense with 18 assists.
 
TWU posted just .176 hitting percentage as a team but forced 26 errors by the Mountaineers.  The Pioneers also had eight service aces led by Mayfield with four.
 
In the second game against CSU-Pueblo, Mayfield again led the team on offense with a game-high 16 kills.  She also posted a .333 hitting percentage along with junior Sara Oxford who finished with eight kills.  Talkington also led the team with 15 digs and Kuechle added 14 digs.  Mayfield recorded 12 digs for the double-double.  Redwine finished with a game-high 28 assists.
 
The Pioneers dominated at the net with seven team blocks and held the ThunderWolves to just .065 hitting percentage.
 
"Defensively we played really well in both games," said TWU head coach Shelly Barberee.  "Offensively we played okay but did not have any eye-catching numbers.  Makayla has been consistent through the first six games this season and is leading the team on offense."
 
The Pioneers will to Colorado Springs, CO, to play two more games at the Steel & Silver Classic on Saturday, Sept. 12.  TWU will face Missouri Western at 10:00 a.m. (CST) and Adams State at 5:30 p.m. (CST).