RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines Volleyball team took on MSU Denver, the 2^nd ranked team in the country on Friday night.

The Hardrockers battled throughout the night and made some substitutions, getting minutes for women who don't play regularly, as well as a great performance from Kiley Metzger and the team bounced back to have a competitive third set, however, it wasn't enough.

The first and second sets were very similar, with MSU Denver getting out to big leads early, 10-2 in the first set, and 8-3 in the second. The Roadrunners were undeterred in the first set, winning it, 25-13. However, the Hardrockers fought back in the second set, first cutting the lead to 9-7 after great play from Kassie Luce, coming off the bench. The Roadrunners would eventually pull away, winning it 25-12.
 
The third set was much more competitive, due in part to Katie Angel, and Claire Smith. Smith came into the game late in the second set and finished with 4 kills. Angel had 3 digs in the match. Head Coach Lauren Torvi Prochazka commented on the duo, "Katie and Claire brought energy, and made a big difference for the team."  The two teams battled to start the set with back-to-back kills by Carly Hirsch giving the Hardrockers a 6-5 lead, before MSU Denver went on a run, taking an 11-7 lead. Back-to-back kills by Smith brought South Dakota Mines back to within 2, 11-9. Later, another kill by Hirsch and a Roadrunner error led to the Hardrockers taking their first lead, 15-14, and then 16-15 before MSU Denver made another big push, winning 7 of the next 8 points, and then another 4-0 run, to win the set 25-18, and the match 3-0.

"I liked our fight in the third set, said Torvi Prochazka, "I hope we can carry it over for tomorrow night's match."
 
Leaders
Emma Grimm led the offense with 7 kills…Kiley Metzger recorded a double-double, leading the team in assists with 16, and recording 10 assists…Addie Stanley recorded a team-high 11 digs.
 
Up Next
South Dakota Mines has another match at home on Saturday. The first serve against Colorado Christian is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
 
About South Dakota Mines
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and NCAA Division II offering 11 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 members, as well as four associate members, located in the states of California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.