RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The Hardrocker volleyball team heads right up the road for the volleyball tournament this weekend as they are in Spearfish at Black Hills State for four matches, looking to improve upon their 3-1 record.
 
GAME INFORMATION
 
UMary
Date/Time: Sept. 8 / 8:00 AM
Site: Spearfish, S.D.
Stadium: Donald E. Young Center
Series Overall: UMary leads 10-8.
Streak: South Dakota Mines Won 1
Last Meeting: South Dakota Mines won in Billings, 3-1 (8/27/22).
Watch Live: RMAC Network | www.rmacsports.com/sdmines
 
Texas A&M - Kingsville
Date/Time: Sept. 8 / 12:00 p.m.
Site: Spearfish, S.D. 
Stadium: Donald E. Young Center
Series Overall: Never met. 
Streak: Never met.
Last Meeting: Never met.
Watch Live: RMAC Network | www.rmacsports.com/sdmines
 
Northern State
Date/Time: Sept. 9 / 11:00 a.m.
Site: Spearfish, S.D. 
Stadium: Dakota Fields
Series Overall: Northern State leads 6-1. 
Streak: Northern State Won 1
Last Meeting: Northern State won in Sioux Falls, 3-0 (9/3/22).
Watch Live: RMAC Network | www.rmacsports.com/sdmines
 
MSU Billings
Date/Time: Sept. 9 / 3:00 p.m.
Site: Rapid City, S.D. 
Stadium: King Center
Series Overall: MSU Billings leads 5-2. 
Streak: MSU Billings Won 1
Last Meeting: MSU Billings Won in Billings, 3-0 (8/27/22).
Watch Live: RMAC Network | www.rmacsports.com/sdmines
 
YOUTH MOVEMENT
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.  
 
INSTANT IMPACT
Among the newcomers Alessandra Meoni and Jenna Curtis both made big differences as the two transfers, Meoni earning Hardrocker Athlete of the Week after leading the team with 54 kills on a .379 hititng percentage. Curtis added 27 kills.
 
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
The Hardrocker captains are Kiley Metzger, who is now going into her second year as a captain, and sophomore defensive specialist/libero Hannah Benes. Metzger continued to do her thing as she recorded 148 assists, moving to 1755 for her career. Benes also played well in her role, recording 81 digs with just 3 receiving errors, and 10 serving aces.   
 
IMPACTFUL FRESHMAN
Annelise Larson, Josey Wickersham, and made big differences in their first collegiate appearances, playing in 15 and 12 sets, recording 30 kills, while Wickersham had no errors on 51 receptions and recorded 30 digs.
 
SCOUTING UMARY
UMary started out their season at the MSU Billings Yellowjacket Invitational, playing four matches and winning two. They defeated MSU Billings and Southeastern Oklahoma State University but were not able to get victories over Lubbock Christian University or Black Hills State.
 
A multi-faceted attack led the Mauraders as they had five players with 24+ kills. Kameron Selvig led the way with 113 assists.
 
SCOUTING TEXAS A&M KINGSVILLE
The Javelinas went 4-0 in their season opening tournament, defeating Ouachita Baptist, CSU Pueblo, New Mexico Highlands and Quincy (RV).
 
Jackie Alanis recorded 44 kills with a .412 hitting percentage, while Ayanna Jackson was a force on the other side of the net, recording 20 blocks.
 
SCOUTING NORTHERN STATE
Northern State completed its season opening tournament at Arkansas Monticello with a 3-0 record. After losing their first match to Maryville in five sets, the Wolves won their remaining three matches all in straight sets.
 
Morrisen Samuels, Abby Brooks, and Hanna Thompson led the way offensively with 46, 31, and 31 kills, while Keri Walker dished 138 assists.
 
SCOUTING MSU BILLINGS
The Yellowjackets hosted a tournament to open their season, winning 2 of 4 matches. Christine Funk was named GNAC Defensive Player of the Week for her performance with 6 digs/set and 23+ in each of their four matches.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
Following the tournament, the Hardrockers get into RMAC play, hitting the road for matchups at UCCS and Regis on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 14 and 15.
 
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.