RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Mines Hardrockers secured a commanding victory tonight against Fort Lewis College, winning the match 3-1 in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) contest at the King Center. The Hardrockers demonstrated resilience and determination, bouncing back from their previous match and putting on an impressive performance.
The Hardrockers moved to 4-1 in RMAC play with the victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hardrockers came out firing on all cylinders in the first set, led by the offensive power of
Jenna Curtis and
Alessandra Meoni. Curtis racked up multiple kills, while Meoni contributed with a mix of smart plays and well-placed attacks. Setter
Kiley Metzger was instrumental in distributing the ball efficiently, keeping Fort Lewis on the defensive. South Dakota Mines maintained control throughout the set and comfortably took it 25-19 to gain an early lead.
Fort Lewis College responded in the second set. Despite some stellar digs from libero
Rachel Mau and timely plays by
Heather Jiricek, the Hardrockers fought but were unable to narrow the gap they had in the first set. Fort Lewis would even the match 1-1.
In the pivotal third set, South Dakota Mines regrouped and returned to their dominant form. Curtis continued to be a force at the net, and Metzger's playmaking kept Fort Lewis off-balance. The Hardrockers' defense at the net helped neutralize Fort Lewis' attempts to rally, while Meoni and Curtis added crucial points to secure a 25-22 victory, giving the Hardrockers a 2-1 lead.
The fourth set showcased the Hardrockers' domination. They came out with high energy, with Metzger delivering precise sets that allowed Curtis and Meoni to consistently find open spots on the court. Mau and
Hannah Benes' outstanding defensive effort helped turn the tide in key moments along with their presence at the net disrupting Fort Lewis' attacks. The Hardrockers closed out the set 25-21, sealing the match 3-1 and earning a well-deserved victory.
NOTES
Jenna Curtis was stellar in the contest, picking up 13 kills and hitting .344 along with 2.5 blocks…
Alessandra Meoni and
Ivy Vindivich had 17 and 16 kills to lead the team. Meoni also had seven blocks…
Kiley Metzger led the team with 45 assists.
UP NEXT
Colorado School of Mines and MSU Denver are next up for the Hardrockers on Oct. 18 and 19.
You can find the latest on South Dakota Mines volleyball all year long on X and Instagram (@hardrockervb), while also following on Facebook at Hardrocker Volleyball. The latest on South Dakota Mines athletics can be found by following us on X at @GoHardrockers, hardrockerathletics on Instagram and Hardrocker Athletics on Facebook.
