RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota Mines volleyball team looks to continue its winning ways as they head to New Mexico Highlands for a single match on Saturday to finish out their week.
GAME INFORMATION
New Mexico Highlands
Date/Time: Oct. 20 / 12:00 p.m.
Site: Las Vegas, N.M.
Arena: John A. Wilson Complex
Series Overall: Tied 4-4
Streak: South Dakota Mines Won 1
Series at New Mexico Highlands: New Mexico Highlands leads 2-1.
Streak at New Mexico Highlands: South Dakota Mines Won 1
Last Meeting: South Dakota Mines won in Las Vegas, 3-1 (10/21/22).
Watch Live: RMAC Network | www.rmacnetwork.com/sdmines
FRESHMAN STEPS UP
Ivy Vindivich has become a dangerous hitter for South Dakota Mines. After not playing a ton to begin the season, beginning with the Black Hills State game at the RMAC Regional Pod in Chadron, she has posted double-digit kills in 4 of the last six matches, including a match where she had 9.
AMONG NATIONS LEADERS
Hannah Benes is dangerous behind the service line, averaging .71 aces per set, second in the nation at the Division II level, and is also 5th in total service aces with 48. That isn't Benes' only contribution as she leads the RMAC in digs per set with 4.87.
BALANCED ATTACK
In addition to Vindivich, the Hardrockers have plenty of dangerous hitters, with Alessandra Meoni as one of the top hitters in the RMAC, sitting in 9th in hitting percentage and 4th in kills per set. Paisley Gibson, 1 of 2 freshman to receive All-RMAC honors in 2022 has stepped it up of late as well, hitting .258 over her last four matches. In two of those matches she hit over .400. On Tuesday against Black Hills State, she had her best game of the year, recording 12 kills on a hitting percentage of .417.
BLOCKERS IN THE MIDDLE
Annelise Larson and Kiera Walsh are tied for 8th in the RMAC in block with 239 each.
SCOUTING NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS
New Mexico Highlands has struggled in 2023. They are currently 2-18 overall and 0-8 in the RMAC.
They are coming off a win, however, as they played a non-conference match against Western New Mexico University on Thursday, defeating them in four sets. In that match, Jaylee Gonzales was fantastic, recording a double-double with 18 k8ills and 11 digs, but also recorded 5 aces and 2 blocks. Ashleigh Meyer and Abby Carlsen tied for the lead in assists with 21.
Abby Carlsen is 12th in the RMAC in digs, recording 3.18 per set, while Ashleigh Meyer is in the top 20 in assists, averaging 4.33 per set.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following Saturday's matchup, the Hardrockers host the RMAC Power Pod next week which will see them take on UCCS and Fort Lewis in non-RMAC matchups on Thursday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 28.
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 13 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.
