Pueblo, Colo. --- The Hardrockers took on CSU Pueblo Friday night and were unable to get much momentum going, falling in three sets.

South Dakota Mines started the first set playing well, getting out to an early 3-1 lead. Down 5-3, CSU Pueblo would make their move, scoring 6 straight points to take a 9-5 lead before a Kiley Metzger kill would end the run. The Thunderwolves would continue to keep the Hardrockers at arm's length, forcing a Hardrocker timeout with CSU Pueblo up 14-8.  Out of the timeout, South Dakota Mines got a double block from Dejah Behrend and Victoria Zagorski to give them some momentum, scoring four straight, cutting the deficit to 14-12. Kills by Shyann Bastian and Sydney Crites along with a forced error would tie up the set at 16. The next point was originally called in favor of CSU Pueblo, however, it was challenged and reversed in favor of South Dakota Mines to give them a 17-16 lead. CSU Pueblo would call a timeout, with the Hardrockers leading 18-16. CSU Pueblo would retake the lead at 22-21, and then 23-21 leading to a South Dakota Mines timeout. CSU Pueblo would take the set 25-21.

The two teams would start out the second set trading points. Four straight points for the Thunderwolves would force a Hardrocker timeout, trailing 7-3. The Thunderwolves would continue their momentum after the timeout, taking a 10-3 lead before South Dakota Mines would score. CSU Pueblo would continue to roll, taking a 20-11 lead. CSU Pueblo would finish off the set, 25-16.

At the beginning of the third set, the Thunderwolves would maintain their momentum, taking an early 3-1 lead. Back-to-back Jacey Koethe kills would pull the Hardorckers to within 4, 11-7. Another kill by Bastian forced a CSU Pueblo timeout. South Dakota Mines would continue to play well, cutting the CSU Pueblo to 1, before taking a lead after an Anna Thomas ace and a Koethe kill. South Dakota Mines' momentum would carry over, taking an 18-15 lead, forcing CSU Pueblo to take a timeout. After the break, the Thunderwolves would battle back, tying it at 19 leading to another Hardrocker timeout. CSU Pueblo would continue to roll out of the time, winning the set 25-21, to take the match 3-0.

Up Next
The Hardrockers play their last road game of the season on Saturday evening, taking on UCCS at 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.