RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The Hardrocker volleyball team heads to Colorado for its first RMAC matches of the year, as they take on UCCS and Regis on Thursday and Friday.
GAME INFORMATION
UCCS
Date/Time: Sept. 14 / 6:00 p.m. MT
Site: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Stadium: Gallogy Events Center
Series Overall: UCSS leads 9-2.
Streak: UCCS Won 1
Series at UCCS: UCCS leads 4-2.
Streak at UCCS: South Dakota Mines Won 2
Last Meeting: UCCS won in Rapid City, 3-1 (10/29/22).
Watch Live: RMAC Network | www.rmacsports.com/sdmines
Regis
Date/Time: Sept. 15 / 7:00 p.m. MT
Site: Denver, Colo.
Stadium: Regis Field House
Series Overall: Regis leads 13-0.
Streak: Regis Won 13
Series at Regis: Regis leads 6-0.
Streak at Regis: Regis Won 6
Last Meeting: Regis won in Devener, 3-1 (11/10/22).
Watch Live: RMAC Network |
www.rmacsports.com/sdmines
FAST START
The Hardrockers brought in 8 freshman to the team this season, in addition to two junior college transfers, to replace 7 significant seniors from last year's team, but have not seen much of an adjustment period as they have taken care of business in their first two tournaments in Chadron and Spearfish, starting with a 6-2 mark.
ACE IN THE HOLE
Hannah Benes has been a weapon from the serving line during her career. The sophomore recorded an RMAC leading, 10 serving aces last week. On the season she has 20, leading the RMAC and is averaging .74 per set, good for second in the conference. For good measure, Benes is also doing a great job on the other side of the net as she is second in the RMAC in digs, and averages 4.96 per set, good for third in the league.
STEADY SETTER
The Hardrockers are led in the middle by returning captain and one of the top setters in the RMAC,
Kiley Metzger. Coming off of a 2022 season where she was in the top-5 in the conference in assists, the start to 2023 has been no different. She is fifth in total assists and seventh in assists per set.
DUAL THREATS AT THE NET
The leading attacking returner for the Hardrockers is sophomore,
Paisley Gibson after being on of two freshman in the conference to be named to an all-conference team, she has 75 kills to start the year, but she is joined by junior transfer,
Alessandra Meoni who has 99 kills and a hitting percentage of .383 to come in fourth in the RMAC in both statistical categories.
FORCE IN THE MIDDLE
Kiera Walsh has big shoes to fill with the graduation of First Team All-RMAC selection
Jacey Koethe, and she has done an admirable job stepping up this season. The sophomore played sparingly in her freshman season but has 24 blocks on the season, an average of .92 blocks per set.
DEFENSE FIRST
As a team, the Hardrockers lead the RMAC in opponent hitting percentage, allowing opponents to succeed just .157 percent of the time.
REAL SEASON BEGINS
Now that we have wrapped up the opening season tournaments, the RMAC schedule begins, and as per usual, it is a gauntlet. The RMAC boasts some of the best volleyball in the country. The conference boasts three top-25 teams and two more receiving votes. One of those teams is Regis, ranked #16 who the Hardrockers will meet on Friday.
SCOUTING UCCS
UCCS has started the year with a 2-6 record, after finishing last season with the 8 seed in the RMAC playoffs after just missing the RMAC playoffs in 2022.
Five of the top hitters for UCCS are returners, for the veteran led Mountain Lions.
Sydnee Walker is making an early impact as a freshman from Hawaii. She is second in digs with 90 and is fourth in kills with 57 for UCCS.
Nicole Medline returns as their middle, leading the team with 30 blocks and can also terminate the ball, recording 65 kills to come in third on the team.
SCOUTING REGIS
Regis had a successful season in 2022, earning the 2 seed in the RMAC playoffs and earning a spot in the NCAA Playoffs after being ranked in the AVCA poll throughout the season.
The beginning of the season for them has been loaded with tough opponents. All eight of their opponents thus far have been ranked or receiving votes. Their 5 wins have come against the #15, #9, #16 teams and two teams receiving votes. This week, the Rangers are ranked #16 in the AVCA poll.
Nadine Burbrink and Mara LeGrand were named RMAC players of the week this week at the defensive and setter spots. Burbrink recorded 19 blocks at the Colorado Premier Challenge to go with 37 kills. LeGrand has been a staple in this spot for a couple of years and she is back for another year, posting 53 assists, 19 digs, and six blocks over the weekend.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following this week, the Hardrockers open their home schedule with Adams State and CSU Pueblo on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 21 and 22nd.
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.
