RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Western State Colorado University Mountaineers were on point Friday night as the South Dakota School of Mines women's volleyball team could do little to slow the momentum of the visitors from Gunnison, Colo., as Western State downed the Lady Hardrockers, 3-0.

The Mountaineers defeated SD Mines, 25-15, 25-21, 25-12. The Hardrockers finished the match with 28 kills and was 79-91 on the attack while collecting 26 assists and 29 digs. Western State tallied 43 digs and was 76-83 on the attack while collecting 37 assists, 40 digs and eight total blocks
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Individually for the Hardrockers sophomore Anna Breidt was back in top form going 17-20 on the attack and leading the Hardrockers with 10 kills. Freshman Kenzie Devries added six kills and freshman Caryn Hazzard contributed with four.

"The biggest challenge we had tonight was that we just couldn't stop them offensively. Their hitting numbers were overwhelming," said Hardrocker volleybal head coach Doug Tabbert. "If you can't stop them you have to outscore them, and we weren't able to do that. Anna had a very big night but we dropped off considerably after that."

SD Mines sophomore setter Elizabeth Jensen collected 24 assists on the night and freshman Allie Brown paced the team with seven digs.

"The first set seemed closer than the score indicated and we were very competitive in the second set, but the third set was a mess," Tabbert added. "Clearly we have to solve our third set issues—that has been a consistent challenge for us."

The loss drops SD Mine to 1-21 on the season and 0-11 in the RMAC. The Hardrockers have a bigger challenge Saturday night as the conference's top ranked team come to town. Colorado Mesa takes on SD Mines in a 7 p.m. match Saturday at the King Center.