CANYON, Texas — Parkside opened its 2026 season with a pair of 3-2 victories Friday at WTAMU Fieldhouse "The Box," defeating Adams State University before taking down host West Texas A&M. The Rangers (2-0, 0-0 GLIAC) edged Adams State (0-1, 0-0 RMAC) in a tightly contested five-set match, closing out the victory with a strong fifth set and a .258 attack percentage. Parkside then battled No. 19 West Texas A&M to another 3-2 victory, winning by set scores of 25-22, 19-25, 26-28, 25-22 and 15-6. The Rangers delivered their best offensive performance of the match in the decisive fifth set, hitting .467 to secure the comeback victory while handing West Texas A&M their first home loss since Nov. 23, 2024.
Parkside vs. Adams State
Adams State jumped out to an early 3-1 lead in the opening set after a pair of Parkside attack errors. The Rangers responded with kills from Abby Alms and Sierra Kilbourn, but consecutive attack errors from Avary Polavin allowed the Grizzlies to extend their advantage to 7-3. Parkside began to settle in, with Polavin, Alms and Kilbourn providing key kills to keep the Rangers within striking distance. Adams State continued to hold the advantage behind kills from Katie Bauer, Carolisa Folau and Lizzie MacIntosh, taking a 16-12 lead midway through the set. Parkside mounted a late comeback, using back-to-back kills from Monica Lukasiewicz and a pair of kills from Polavin to cut the deficit to 20-21. The Rangers pulled within one at 20-21, but Adams State closed the set with four of the final five points, securing a 25-21 victory.
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Adams State maintained control throughout the second set, ultimately prevailing 25-21 against Parkside. The set saw several impactful plays, including a service ace by Emily Zaper for the Rangers at a critical juncture, narrowing the score to 23-21. However, Adams State's offensive efforts were led by Folau, who contributed multiple kills, and MacIntosh, who secured key points, including a decisive kill that extended their lead. Parkside's Lukasiewicz consistently responded with kills from Lucy Russ's assists, but it was not enough to shift the momentum as Rowan Tribelhorn's kill clinched the set for Adams State.
The Rangers capitalized on early errors by Adams State to build a 3-0 lead, including a block by Lukasiewicz and Kilbourn. Adams State responded with a run of its own, claiming five consecutive points to take an 8-4 lead, aided by multiple attack errors from Parkside. However, the Rangers regained momentum, tying the score at 11-11 through a combination of errors by Adams State and a kill by Alms. Polavin and Kilbourn then contributed to a decisive stretch, securing multiple kills to extend Parkside's lead. The Rangers ultimately closed out the set 25-20, with Zaper registering the final kill.
Parkside edged out a close set against Adams State, finishing with a 27-25 victory. Lauren Peters contributed significantly during a critical stretch, serving back-to-back aces and helping her team secure a four-point lead. Adams State fought back with Bauer and MacIntosh each recording kills, bringing the score level at 12-12 before taking the lead. Kilbourn of Parkside responded with key kills, keeping the match competitive as both teams exchanged points. Ultimately, Polavin delivered the decisive kill, assisted by Russ, to seal the set in Parkside's favor.
The Rangers secured a tense victory in the fifth set against Adams State, finishing 15-12. The set was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging points early on. Alms was instrumental for Parkside, delivering multiple kills to keep the Rangers ahead. Kilbourn and Polavin also contributed key points, helping to fend off a late rally by Adams State. Defensively, Natalie Harris recorded three digs in the final set, bringing her match total to a career-high 36 digs. Folau's efforts for Adams State kept the visitors within reach, but the Rangers' consistent scoring, capped by a final kill from Alms, clinched the match.
Natalie Harris led the Rangers with a career-high 36 digs in Parkside's five-set victory over Adams State, while also recording four assists and two service aces. Lucy Russ finished with 42 assists and 10 digs, while Abby Alms posted 14 kills, a .297 hitting percentage and 15.0 points. Monica Lukasiewicz added nine kills, five total blocks and a .259 hitting percentage. Lauren Peters contributed four service aces and 14 digs in the victory.
Parkside vs. West Texas A&M
Parkside began the first set with a strong start, taking an early 2-0 lead with a kill by Sierra Kilbourn and an attack error by West Texas A&M's Kaycee Cavanaugh. The teams exchanged points, maintaining a close score with neither side able to pull away significantly. Key contributions from Avary Polavin, who recorded multiple kills, and Emily Zaper, who secured crucial points, helped Parkside. Despite a late push from West Texas A&M, including a service ace by Hannah Pemberton, Parkside secured the set 25-22 with a final kill from Kilbourn, assisted by Natalie Harris.
The Buffs capitalized on a series of attack errors and strong offensive plays to maintain their lead over Parkside in the second set. West Texas A&M gained an early advantage with a 4-1 lead thanks to kills by Ellie Koprek and Casey Loewer. The Rangers responded with a service ace by Lauren Peters, tying the score at 5-5, and later took a brief lead at 14-13 on a kill by Maia Olson. However, the Buffs' defensive efforts, highlighted by consecutive blocks involving Cavanaugh and Anna Ruter, helped the Buffs. The set concluded with Tatum Busch securing the final point on a kill, giving the Buffs a 25-19 victory in the set.
In a tightly contested third set, the Buffs edged out the Rangers with a 28-26 victory. Parkside initially surged ahead with a series of kills from Kilbourn and Polavin, aided by Harris's serves. West Texas A&M responded with a 6-0 run, highlighted by two service aces from Cavanaugh. The teams traded points, with Zaper delivering multiple crucial kills to keep the score close. A late surge by the Buffs, including key kills from Busch and Loewer, ultimately secured the set for West Texas A&M.
The Rangers took control early in the fourth set with a series of scoring plays, including a strong service run by Harris that resulted in multiple attack errors by the Buffs and key kills from Olson, assisted by Lucy Russ. Parkside extended its lead to 7-1, prompting a timeout by West Texas A&M. Despite a comeback attempt that closed the gap to 18-18, Parkside responded with a decisive finish. Russ set up crucial points, including a kill by Polavin to reach set point. Although West Texas A&M narrowed the margin with a late run, the Rangers secured the set 25-22 on a kill by Kilbourn, moving the match to its conclusion.
The Rangers secured a decisive victory in the fifth set with a commanding 15-6 win over the Buffs. The set saw Parkside take control early with a 3-0 run, highlighted by a kill from Kilbourn assisted by Russ and a block assist from Olson and Polavin. The Buffs managed to close the gap slightly, but Parkside responded with kills by Abby Alms and Zaper, and a service ace by Olson, pushing the score to 9-4. After a timeout by West Texas A&M, Parkside continued with a strong offensive showing, culminating in a series of attack errors by its opponents, including the match-winning point on an error by Parker Gladhill.
Natalie Harris led the Rangers defensively with 32 digs against No. 19 West Texas A&M, while also adding five assists and a service ace. Avary Polavin powered Parkside's attack with 20 kills, three blocks and 21.5 points. Emily Zaper contributed 11 kills, 19 digs and 11 points, while Lucy Russ recorded 30 assists and nine digs. Maia Olson added eight kills on a .438 hitting percentage, five total blocks and 12 points.
Looking ahead, the Rangers will face Tuskegee University on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 9 a.m. in Canyon, Texas.
