RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines Volleyball team was in an early-week matchup against rival Black Hills State University at home on Tuesday night.

In what has become a lopsided rivalry in favor of Black Hills State in recent years, the Hardrockers battled, fought, and clawed all-night-long on their way to ending a 10-game losing streak against the Yellowjackets.

The first set was mostly controlled by Black Hills State. After the Hardrockers started strong, up 4-2, the Yellowjackets scored five in a row, taking a 7-4 lead and then 10-5, and eventually 17-12. Black Hills State would continue its' momentum and close out the set with a 25-16 victory.

The second set was more competitive with the two teams locked in a battle. South Dakota Mines was able to seize some momentum, on kills by Syndey Crites and Lily Bartling. An assist was credited to Kassie Luce on the kill by Crites, and head coach Lauren Torvi Prochazka credited her for the difference she made in the match, stating "Kassie Luce came off the bench and changed the tide of the match, in our favor." The two teams would continue to battle back and forth in the second set, with the Hardrockers getting out to a 14-12 advantage, then Black Hills State would battle back to take a 22-20 lead late in the set. South Dakota Mines, however, would not be deterred, scoring 5 of the last 6 points, to tie up the match 1-1, thanks to kills by Emma Grimm, Shyann Bastian, as well as an ace by Luce.

The Hardrockers carried over their momentum to the beginning of the 3^rd set, taking an early 4-1 lead. It would not last as the Yellowjackets came storming back to retake a 10-8 lead. The Hardrockers were down 14-1, when they would score four in a row thanks to strong play from Jacey Koethe to give them a 17-14 lead. Black Hills State retook the momentum, first tying it at 18, then emerging from the set victorious 25-20.

With the match on the line, the Hardrockers stepped up, down 5-4 early, South Dakota Mines outscored Black Hills State 7-2 over the next few minutes to take an 11-7 lead. Moments later, 3 more points would give the Hardrockers a 14-8 lead. Late in the set, the Yellowjackets would recover, cutting the Hardrocker lead to 21-19. South Dakota Mines would not be deterred, scoring three straight points, and then sending the match to a deciding 5^th set, winning the fourth 25-20.

With the score tied at 3, the Hardrockers would get the first wave of momentum, getting a block from Dejah Behrend, an ace from Crites, then a kill from Grimm to take a 6-3 lead. Black Hills State would retie it up, however, that would not last long, as South Dakota Mines recaptured the momentum, outscoring the Yellowjackets 4-1, taking a 12-8 lead. The Hardrockers forced Blacks Hills State into three more errors, taking the set, 15-11, and the match, 3-2.  

This win was the first time the Hardrockers have defeated Black Hills State since 2015, and Black Hills State held a 10-match win streak in the series. Coach Torvi Prochazka understands the significance, "I'm so excited to finally beat that program! Huge win for our program, and for the future, we're headed in the right direction," she stated. 

Leaders
Sydney Crites, Emma Grimm, and Shyann Bastian were in double-figures in kills, with 12, 11, and 10….Kiley Metzger had 29 assists, but was joined in double-figures Kassie Luce with 11….Lily Bartling and Jacey Koethe were phenomenal on defense, recording a combined 10 blocks, with Koethe recording 6, and Bartling, 4….Addie Stanley and Emma Grimm recorded 22, and 16 digs, each while  Luce added a new career-high, 13.

Looking Ahead
The South Dakota Mines volleyball team is back in action at the King Center on Saturday night, as they face off against Regis University. That match is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. starting time.

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.