November 12, 2003
No. 18 Texas A&M fell to Colorado, 30-25, 23-30, 31-29, 17-30, 15-12, in front of 631 at the Coors Events Center. It was fifth time in the last six meetings between the two teams that the match was decided in five games.
The loss overshadowed Melissa Munsch's 18-kill performance, which gave her 1,003 kills for her career. She becomes the 13th player in A&M history to surpass the 1,000-kill milestone.
Colorado opened the decisive fifth game by scoring four consecutive points. A&M answered with four of its own but was unable to take the lead as Colorado ended the rally with a block. The Buffs held a four-point lead four more times, the last coming at 14-10. Munsch had a kill and teamed with Lexy Beers for a block to get the Aggies within 14-12, but Maragda Santillana posted her match-high 20th kill to seal the victory for the Buffs.
Colorado improves to 18-8 overall and 10-6 in the Big 12 Conference. The Buffs now trail the Aggies (18-7, 10-5) by a half game for third place in the league race.
A&M took its one and only lead of Game 1 at 15-14 following a kill by Laura Jones. The Buffs answered with a kill and an ace to regain the lead. The Aggies tied the score two times throughout the remainder of the game, the last coming at 20-20 after a Colorado attack attempt sailed long.
The Buffs broke the tie when A&M's serve was long, and Colorado never lost the lead for the remainder of the game. The Buffs held a 27-25 lead when they put the game away with three consecutive points.
A&M evened the match by winning Game 2, 30-23. Colorado held a 10-9 lead when A&M scored four unanswered points to take its first lead other than a 1-0 edge to begin the game. The Buffs got within one point four times, but the Aggies never let go of the lead.
A&M held a 21-20 advantage when the Aggies went on another four-point rally. Colorado answered with three points before A&M ended the game with five straight points, the game-winner the result of a Jones kill following a Colorado overpass.
The Aggies let an early seven-point lead slip away as the Buffs came from behind for a crucial 31-29 win in Game 4. The Aggies were up, 22-18 when Colorado pounded four consecutive points to tie the score. The teams exchanged point for point, and the score was tied at 25 when the Aggies got a kill from Carol Price and an ace from Beth Skypala. The Buffs were then called for four hits to give A&M a 28-25 advantage. Colorado, however, came back with three kills and an ace to take its first lead since a 2-1 advantage. A&M tied the score at 29 on a kill by Beers, but back-to-back kills by the Buffs ended the game.
A&M didn't let its lead disappear in the fourth game. Leading 18-13, A&M rallied for six points, the last coming on Munsch's 1,000th kill of her career. The Buffs, who were outhit, .400 to .114 in the game, could not get closer than 10 points the remainder of the game. The Aggies were leading, 27-17, when they ended the game with three unanswered points.
Munsch was one of five players to post double figures in kills in the match as Jones tied for team-high honors with 18. Kendra Felder added 15, and Price and Skypala contributed 11 apiece.
Jones also led in digs, tying for match-high honors with 20.
The Aggies tallied a season-high 19 blocks, with Skypala posting a career-high seven. Munsch and Tara Pulaski also added seven apiece.
A&M hit .230 for the match, recording 81 kills. Colorado, which had 16 blocks, hit .196 with 69 kills.
The Aggies hit the road again on Saturday as they take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders. First serve is at 7 p.m. at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock.