RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines women's volleyball team is ready to take the court after having its season delayed due to Covid-19 issues.

The Hardrockers finished last year with a 11-16 overall record and 7-11 in the RMAC. The 2019-20 season was the best season the Hardrockers have had in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference since joining the NCAA DII ranks.  In the recent pre-season coaches' poll, the Hardrockers were voted to finish ninth in the conference.

"We are grateful for this season, despite knowing it won't be perfect," said Hardrocker volleyball head coach Lauren Torvi Prochazka. "Our minds are less on COVID and more on the growth this program has had and the direction in where we are heading now."

The Hardrockers will be a young team this year with five freshmen, nine sophomores, and two juniors.

Juniors returning are setters Shyann Bastian and Addie Stanley. Torvi Prochazka said that Bastian has had more growth on the court as she enters this year.

"I have so much confidence in Shyann's ability to run our offense and contribute well defensively too," said Torvi Prochazka. "Her behaviors are consistently about the team above self and it had been a huge opportunity for our young women to have her as a leader. I am excited to see her junior year be her best year yet."

Sophomores returning are DS/S Kassie Luce, DS Kristin Luce, S/DS Emma Murphy, OH Chelsea Brewster, MH Dejah Behrend, DS Anna Thomas, MB Jacey Koethe, OH Victoria Zagorski, and OH Lily Bartling. New to the Hardrocker family are DS Katie Angel, MH Alyssa Naples, OH/DS Claire Smith, S Kiley Metzger, and OH Josi Stevens.

The Hardrockers will have some big hitters that will be very impactful for the offense this year.

"Jacey Koethe has become a big force on the court and Dejah Behrend is a powerhouse," Torvi Prochazka said. "Dejah's energy on the court combined with her strength makes her a middle that will put up important numbers."

Defensively, the Hardrockers return Thomas after a standout year. "She made a name for herself in the conference as a freshmen and I know she will continue to frustrate our opponents weekly," said Torvi Prochazka. "I expect Anna to be one of the best defensive players in the RMAC this year."

Aside from the young returners, the freshmen Hardrockers will have a lot of impact this year. "Claire and Alyssa continue to prove that they can fill certain roles on the floor," Torvi Prochazka said. "I am excited to watch them grow."

The Hardrockers will take the court for a double header match on Friday January 22 in Lakewood, Colorado. In their first match the 'Rockers will face Colorado Christian. In their second match the Hardrockers will square off against Adams State.
"Wherever, whoever and whenever," said Torvi Prochazka. "We are just ready to go to work and try to solidify the Hardrocker volleyball program as a championship level program."

The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) has released the 2021 Spring Preseason Volleyball Coaches' Poll and Student-Athletes to Watch.
 
The coaches' poll was voted on by all 14 head coaches. Coaches could not vote for their own institution. The Preseason Student-Athletes to Watch were selected by each institution.

Click here to view the preseason page.
 
Coaches' Poll (first-place votes)
T1. MSU Denver – 158 (5)
T1. Regis – 158 (6)
3. Colorado School of Mines – 151 (3)
4. Colorado Mesa - 137
5. CSU Pueblo - 112
6. UCCS - 96
7. Black Hills State - 93
8. Colorado Christian - 87
9. South Dakota Mines - 73
10. Chadron State - 64
11. Fort Lewis - 47
12. Western Colorado - 44
13. Adams State - 40
14. Westminster - 14

Preseason Student-Athletes to Watch
 Adams State
Shannon Mulkey
Mackenzie Swanson
Alexandra MacAskill
 
Black Hills State
Haedyn Rhoades
Sierra Ward
Madison Hoopman

Chadron State
Chandler Hageman

Colorado Christian
Jacey Johnson
Maddie Burns

Colorado Mesa
Ara Norwood
Kerstin Layman

Colorado School of Mines
Drew Stokes
Lindsey Jin
Elle Duis

CSU Pueblo
Jazzy Espinoza
Payton Stack
Maddy Wisniewski

Fort Lewis
Kamryn Lopez
Rylee Johnson
Alexa Treguboff

MSU Denver
Avaline Lai
Kayla White
Rylee Hladky

Regis
Haley Kennedy
Caitlyn Burroway
Mara LeGrand

South Dakota Mines
Shyann Bastain
Anna Thomas
Jacey Koethe

UCCS
Jordyn Kinsey
Lauryn Shockley
Emily Ettel

Western Colorado
Hanna Hendrickson
Jordyn Todd

Westminster
Audrey Green
Lydia Miller
Bri Mortensen