DURANGO, Colo. --- The South Dakota School of Mines women's volleyball team was in quite a competitive battle with Fort Lewis College Saturday evening during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup in Durango, Colo.

It went down to the wire, taking five sets to decide ---  and when the dust settled and smoke cleared, the Skyhawks was able to squeak out the win, 3-2. Fort Lewis College defeated the Hardrockers, 25-19, 16-25, 23-25, 25-20, 15-12.

The Hardrockers finished the match tallying 59 kills, had .174 hitting percentage, recorded 56 assists, 13 total blocks and 83 digs. The Skyhawks came away with 63 kills, had .174 hitting percentage, added 59 assists, eight total blocks and 77 digs.

Individually for the Hardrockers, senior Mikkella Reese had an outstanding performance, notching 21 kills, had a .154 hitting percentage, four blocks and 16 digs. Fellow senior Emily Newton tallied 13 kills and posted a .370 hitting percentage and had three blocks. Sophomore Caryn Hazard added 10 kills on the night. Freshman Emma Eckel contributed with 49 assists and 12 digs. Sophomore Allie Brown led the 'Rockers with 21 digs.

The loss drops SD Mines to 1-9 on the season and 0-2 in the RMAC while Fort Lewis improved to 6-4 on the year and 1-1 in the conference. The Hardrockers will have their home opener this weekend playing host to New Mexico Highlands (Friday) and CSU-Pueblo (Saturday).