Box Score Chadron, Neb. --- The South Dakota Mines volleyball team wrapped up their regional non-conference pod against rival Black Hills State University in Chadron, Nebraska Friday night. The Yellow Jackets tripped up the Hardrockers in five sets (25-19; 22-25; 25-15; 21-25; 13-15) in the non-conference matchup.
 
The loss drops the Hardrockers' overall record to 8-6. They are 2-2 in conference play in the early season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hardrockers and Yellow Jackets were neck and neck in the first set until the Hardrockers went ahead by four 14-10. BHSU got to within one point 16-15, but the Hardrockers went on to win the set 25-19.
 
In the second set, the teams were tied 6-6 until the Yellow Jackets went ahead for good and eventually won the set 25-22.
 
The Hardrockers started the third set on a 4-0 run and led 10-1 at one point. BHSU briefly got it to within six, but South Dakota Mines dominated the Yellow Jackets to win by ten points, 25-15. In the set, the 'Rockers had runs of six and four points (twice).
 
The Hardrockers held a slim lead at the beginning of a crucial fourth set. They held leads of 3 points a few different times early on, but the Yellow Jackets made a comeback to tie the set 15-15. BHSU would take the lead late and the 'Rockers got to within one point 22-21. The Yellow Jackets would then score the next three points to win the set 25-21.
 
In the fifth and final set, the Hardrockers held the lead 13-10 until the Yellowjackets rattled off five straight points to win the set 15-13 and the match 3-2.
 
NOTES
The Hardrockers had 53 kills and 46 assists… Alessandra Meoni once again led the Hardrockers in offense with 14 kills... Ellison Spencer had a career night with 42 assists, filling in for Kiley Metzger…Four 'Rockers were in double digits in digs with Hannah Benes leading the way with 20. Spencer had 16, Rachel Mau ended with 15, and Josey Wickersham finished with 10.
 
UP NEXT
The Hardrockers will face off against rival Black Hills State Friday night in Chadron, Neb. in a non-conference match-up. First serve will be at 6:00 PM.
 
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.