RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines volleyball squad took care of business Saturday night improving their playoff position with a 3-0 win over the Mountaineers of Western Colorado University to secure the weekend sweep and the fourth win in five matches. With the win, the Hardrockers improved their record to 8-12 overall and 5-7 in the RMAC. The Hardrockers will next face New Mexico Highlands and Adams State on the road next Friday and Saturday.
How It Happened - The Mountaineers jumped out to an early 6-1 lead and would extend their lead to 9-3 early in the first set. Halfway through the first set Western Colorado led 14-10. The Hardrockers brought the score to 14-13 on a kill by
Jacey Koethe. The Hardrockers would tie the game 15-15 on a ball-handling error by the Mountaineers. The Mountaineers grabbed the lead again 17-16, but
Paisley Gibson would tie it up 17-17 with a kill. The Hardrockers would take the lead 18-17 on an attack error on Western Colorado. With the score 19-19
Anna Thomas served six straight points to give the Hardrockers a 25-19 first-set win. Gibson led the Hardrockers with six kills, while
Kiley Metzger had 14 assists.
In the second set, both teams would stay close in points until the Hardrockers grabbed a 13-9 lead on three straight points. After a couple of errors by the Mountaineers, the Hardrockers led 19-14. Gibson's two kills put the Hardrockers up 21-14. The Hardrockers were too much down the stretch and won the second set 25-16 on a kill by
Dejah Behrend.
Midway through the third set, the Hardrockers held a 7-4 lead on the great offensive play by Gibson. The Hardrockers would continue their strong play leading the Mountaineers 11-9. The Hardrockers would increase their lead 17-10 after two kills by Gibson. The Hardrockers would increase their lead to 22-13.Thomas was at the service line and the Hardrockers would continue their domination, winning the set 25-13, and the match 3-0.
Notes – Paisley Gibson led with 16 kills and added 12 digs for the double double…
Jacey Koethe added 10 kills...
Kiley Metzger finished the night with 32 assists…
Anna Thomas had 20 digs on the night.
Up Next – The Hardrockers will next face New Mexico Highlands and Adams State on the road next Friday and Saturday.
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 10 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.
