ALAMOSA, Colo. --- The South Dakota School of Mines women's volleyball team opened Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play on the road Friday night facing the Adams State University Lady Grizzlies in Alamosa, Colo., where the Lady Hardrockers came up short, falling to ASU, 3-0.

The Grizzlies defeated SD Mines, 25-16, 25-15, 25-22. The Hardrockers were competitive in the third set, but couldn't quite find the momentum to get the result they were after. The 'Rockers finished the match with 28 kill, had a .111 hitting percentage, notched 26 assists, 23 digs and 12 total blocks.

Adams State countered with 45 kills, had a .297 hitting percentage, recorded 43 assists, 40 digs and eight blocks.

"We had a rough go in several positions tonight," said Hardrocker women's volleyball head coach Jenni Bolduc. "We couldn't get our middles going the way we need to in order to be successful, and we struggled with blocking and defense."

For the Hardrockers, senior Mikkella Reese had a .316 hitting percentage and recorded seven kills, six digs and a block. Fellow senior Emily Newton paced the team with eight kills and had a .400 hitting percentage as well as four assisted blocks. Sophomore Allie Boggs tallied 18 assists for SD Mines.

"I think Mikkella Reese did a really nice job for us passing and (junior) Alye Wagner showed some strong leadership on the court and in the locker room between sets 2 and 3," Bolduc said. "we know we have a long road ahead of us, and we're excited to bounce back against Fort Lewis tomorrow."

The loss drops SD Mines to 1-8 on the season and 0-1 in the RMAC. The Hardrockers are back in action Saturday in a 5 p.m. matchup against the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks in Durango, Colo.