COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Minnesota Morris volleyball team took their early-season schedule out west Friday to take part in the Spike It Up Classic hosted by Colorado College. The Cougars faced Pacific University in the opener then George Fox in the nightcap and they dropped both matches in four sets.

Against Pacific, UMM fell in the first two sets, but took a 25-22 third set to pull closer. The Cougars trailed 19-16 before a 4-0 spurt gave them a 20-19 edge. Later, another 4-0 spurt was highlighted by three Tori Everson kills that gave UMM a 24-20 lead. Another Everson kill closed out the set.

Pacific took their sets by scores of 25-15, 25-19, and 25-13.

Rachel Mathias led UMM with 11 kills with Everson adding nine. Layne Herrmann had 29 assists and Alyssa Ukestad had 14 digs.

All four sets against George Fox were tight with the Bruins claiming three of the four sets by scores of 25-23, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22.

In the second set, the Cougars trailed 22-21 until they rattled off three straight to pull ahead 24-22. Mathias started the stretch with a kill, Morgan Miller and Herrmann combined on a block, and Ukestad closed with an ace. An Everson kill finished the set in favor of the Cougars.

Everson led with 11 kills and four aces. Herrmann totaled 32 assists and Ukestad dug out 20 balls.

Minnesota Morris (3-4) continues play Saturday against the host Colorado College and Pacific Lutheran.