Angelo State survives 5-set thriller against Regis in regional volleyball opener

Charles Bryce, San Angelo Standard-Times
·2 min read
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In a match that came down to the wire, No. 4 seed Angelo State University outlasted fifth-seeded Regis (Colorado) 25-23, 17-25, 27-25, 18-25, 15-11 in an NCAA Division II South Central Regional Volleyball Tournament opener Thursday night in Denver.

Belles senior right side/setter Kailyn Gilbreath, the Lone Star Conference Offensive and Player of the Year, was selected as the American Volleyball Coaches Association South Central Player of the Year on Wednesday.

Angelo State University head volleyball coach Chuck Waddington gets his point across to the Belles during an LSC Tournament quarterfinal against UT Permian Basin at the Junell Center on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021.
Angelo State University head volleyball coach Chuck Waddington gets his point across to the Belles during an LSC Tournament quarterfinal against UT Permian Basin at the Junell Center on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021.

With the season on the line Thursday, Gilbreath recorded her seventh triple-double of the season with a match-high 17 kills, and a team-high 25 assists. She tied senior libero Chloe Patton with a team-high 18 digs.

ASU improved to 24-4 and Regis finished 20-8. The Belles will face top-seeded MSU Denver (27-3) in the regional semifinals at 8:30 p.m. CST. Friday. MSU Denver swept No. 8 seed Colorado School of Mines 25-21, 25-17, 25-23 in the quarters.

The regional championship is scheduled for Saturday.

Angelo State University's Kailyn Gilbreath goes up for a an attack against UT Permian Basin in a Lone Star Conference Tournament quarterfinal at the Junell Center on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021.
Angelo State University's Kailyn Gilbreath goes up for a an attack against UT Permian Basin in a Lone Star Conference Tournament quarterfinal at the Junell Center on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021.

Senior middle blockers Sophia Berg and Grace White had 15 and eight kills, respectively, for the Belles.

White led ASU with eight solo blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Elsa Lamphere added five blocks and senior middle blocker Baleigh Allen, a first-team regional honoree, chipped in four.

ASU also got big contributions from Jaedyn Woolley (19 assists) and Caleigh Enax (14 digs).

Regis was led in kills by: Rachel Siurek (15), Caitlyn Burroway (14) and Halle Theis (11).

Mara LeGrand had a match-high 42 assists for the Rangers.

Angelo State University's Grace White (13) goes up for an attack against UT Permian Basin in a Lone Star Conference Tournament quarterfinal at the Junell Center on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021.
Angelo State University's Grace White (13) goes up for an attack against UT Permian Basin in a Lone Star Conference Tournament quarterfinal at the Junell Center on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021.

Three Rangers recorded double-digit digs -- Haley Kennedy (20), LeGrand (16) and Burroway (14).

The Belles were the Lone Star Conference regular-season champions, but they were upset by UT Permian Basin in five sets at home in the LSC Tournament quarterfinals.

Regis competes in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).

Charles Bryce is a journalist covering sports in West Texas. Send him a news tip at cbryce@gannett.com. Consider supporting West Texas journalism with a subscription to GoSanAngelo.com.

This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Angelo State survives 5-set thriller against Regis in regional opener