CHADRON, Neb. -- Sept. 23, 2016 -- Western State Colorado University took advantage of some untimely errors by Chadron State College in a marathon volleyball match tonight that went nearly two and a half hours. The Mountaineers (6-5, 2-1 RMAC) left town with a 3-2 win, putting CSC at 2-9 (1-2 RMAC) entering a tilt tomorrow with RMAC power Colorado Mesa.

Among other promotions, the home opener was dubbed "Family Night" with dozens of players' familes in attendance.

"One thing we're looking for tomorrow is definitely consistency," said head coach Riann Mullis. "We found ourselves getting into some runs that almost put us over the top, but then we'd have three or four errors."

CSC took the opening set 25-21 and appeared to have all the momentum after carrying 11 of the final 14 points in that one.

The Eagles appeared in control in the second, although Western hung in close with them. CSC actually had match point at 24-22, when Western State scored four straight points. Three of those final points were Chadron State errors.

"When we get into pressure situations like we did tonight, we have to be mentally tougher," said Mullis. "The girls know that after tonight. We have to be sure of ourselves and we have to want the ball."

Chadron State players flashed at least a bit of toughness when in the third set, they faced down match point for WSCU four times, but fought their way to winning the extended 30-28 set.

The Eagles led by as many as five points in the fourth, at 19-14, but once again ill-timed errors brought Western State the edge, as CSC committed seven after gaining their largest lead, falling 25-23.

The fifth set went to Western as well, ending 15-11 on a block assist by Mountaineers Jordan Eatwell and Avery Burkholder.

Western State's Molly Hothan was the star of the match with 18 kills on .406 hitting. Their setter, Allison Walker, finished with an impressive 55 assists.

For the Eagles, Kenzie Chrisman, Alia Brennan, and Rudy Leasau each assisted on five blocks. The Eagles had 11 total blocks for the team. Gaby Varela led the team with 15 kills, with Leasau (14) and Chrisman (11) also in double digits. Middle blocker Chrisman's .421 hitting percentage led both teams.

The Eagles hit .146 as a team, compared with Western State's .172.

Chadron State is back at home tomorrow night as they host Colorado Mesa University (8-3, 2-1 RMAC), who tied for second in last year's conference standings and are receiving votes in the latest national poll. First serve is at 6 p.m.