The inside-outside tandem of sisters Nikki and Jenna Kinzer kept visiting Air Academy off balance all night, and a deep Rampart team took out the Kadets 25-13, 25-11, 25-13 on Thursday.

The Pikes Peak No. 3 Rams showed why they are a contender in the 5A Metro Conference.

“We came out and played together like a team,” said Jenna Kinzer, a junior outside hitter who led her team with four aces and added four digs. “Everyone played their best, and it showed in the end.”

Senior middle hitter Nikki Kinzer, who is expected to sign with University of Colorado volleyball, towered over the smaller Kadets, recording eight kills and three blocks.

Rampart senior outside hitter Lauren Yoder led all players with 11 kills, and helped give the Rams (7-4, 3-0) a commanding presence at the net.

“Rampart is a good team, but my girls played well. We just needed more height in the middle, and it showed,” said Air Academy coach Toni Blair. “We hung in there with some good defense and creative offense.”

Air Academy never led. The Kadets tied Rampart 4-4 in Games 1 and 3 but could never gather much momentum.

In Game 1, Yoder made two straight kills for a 6-4 lead, and Air Academy kept it close.

They trailed 11-9 after senior Kailey Tuthill connected on one of her eight kills.

But the Rams would score 14 of the next 18 points to close out the first game.

Game 2 was all Rampart, who jumped out to a 15-4 lead before Air Academy could break Jenna Kinzer’s serve.

Air Academy (6-5) got a nice block from senior hitter Molly Snowden to cut the lead to 23-11, but it was too late for the Kadets.

Some unforced errors kept Game 3 close, but Rampart led 10-8 after one of Jenni Cook’s five kills and 15-8 after a nice stuff block by Kristen Brassard.

Rampart senior setter Alex Tanner made 22 assists and four blocks, while libero Skylar Lewandowski led the team with seven digs.

Air Academy was led by senior setter Brittany Schwartz’s seven digs and 20 assists and senior libero Katie Moran’s 15 digs. .

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