GUNNISON, Colo. – SWOSU Volleyball earned its first win of the 2026 campaign behind a monster game from Katja Blanchat against Sul Ross State.
Blanchat etched her name in the SWOSU record books, totaling 15 kills on just 20 attempts. Her .750 hitting percentage is the highest ever recorded by a SWOSU Volleyball player in program history.
The opening two sets saw SWOSU in the driver's seat as the Bulldogs quickly took a 2-0 lead after Sul Ross State scored just 24 combined points in the first two frames (25-13, 25-11). In those sets, the Dawgs totaled 22 kills compared to just 12 for the Lobos, who also committed 11 errors.
After it looked like the Bulldogs could cruise to a sweep, the Lobos came to life, totaling 16 kills with just three errors in the third set (.448) and holding on to extend the game after a 25-23 set victory.
Both teams did not hit exceptionally in the fourth and final set, with the Dawgs hitting just .167, their lowest mark of the match, and the Lobos hitting .067. However, a mid-set run propelled the Bulldogs to close out the match with a 25-19 victory.
The final stats saw SWOSU record 11 service aces compared to zero for the Lobos. Blanchat led the Dawgs with 15 kills and added three blocks, while Sydnee Winfrey recorded 10 kills of her own and a team-high five blocks. Mackenzie Sims dished out team highs with 36 assists and 10 digs for her first double-double of the season.
SWOSU will close out the week tomorrow with a doubleheader, first meeting New Mexico Highlands at 10:00 a.m. CT before ending the day against Lubbock Christian at 3:00 p.m. CT.
