RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Mines volleyball team is at home for the season's final two regular season games this weekend, taking on Westminster at 7:00 on Friday night before taking on #14 Colorado Mesa on Saturday.
The Hardrockers are currently the #3 seed in the RMAC, and one win this weekend will clinch home court for a match on Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the first round of the RMAC playoffs.
GAME INFORMATION
WESTMINSTER
Date/Time: Nov. 15 / 7:00 PM MT
Site: Rapid City, S.D.
Arena: King Center
Series Overall: South Dakota Mines leads 6-4 (Since 2004).
Streak: South Dakota Mines Won 3
Last Meeting: South Dakota Mines won in Salt Lake City, 3-1 (11/10/23).
Watch Live: RMAC Network
COLORADO MESA
Date/Time: Nov. 16 / 1:00 PM MT
Site: Rapid City, S.D.
Arena: King Center
Series Overall: Colorado Mesa leads 11-0 (Since 2013).
Streak: Colorado Mesa Won 11
Last Meeting: Colorado Mesa won in Grand Junction, 3-1 (11/11/23).
Watch Live: RMAC Network
AUTOMATIC ASSISTS
South Dakota Mines is fourth in the RMAC and 28th nationally, with 12.70 assists per set.
Kiley Metzger is vital to this, averaging 10.11 per set to sit fourth in the RMAC.
KEEPING RALLIES ALIVE
The Hardrockers average 17.88 digs per set. This number leads the RMAC, ranking 26th at the NCAA Division II level.
BENES BALLS
As she has throughout her career,
Hannah Benes doesn't let balls hit the ground and is extremely dangerous behind the service line.
She leads the conference with .53 aces per set, 32nd at the Division II level.
In addition, Benes recently hit the 1,000 dig mark for her career and averages 4.88 digs per set, which is second in the conference.
TOP OF THE RMAC
Alessandra Meoni has been phenomenal throughout her time with South Dakota Mines, and this year is no different. She is leading the RMAC with 4.10 kills per set, which is 20th in NCAA Division II. Her .314 hitting percentage is eighth-best in the RMAC, and she also scores 4.65 points per set, which is second in the league.
SCOUTING WESTMINSTER
Westminster is currently tied for eighth in the RMAC and looking to advance to the playoffs with a slew of teams at 6-6 and 5-7 in conference play.
The Griffins are impressive behind the service line. They average 1.77 aces per set, which is second-best in the league.
Mailei Myers is a big piece of that, averaging .38 aces per set, sixth in the RMAC.
Alanna Lee is a strong libero/defensive specialist and is seventh in the RMAC in digs per set with 4.24.
SCOUTING COLORADO MESA
Colorado Mesa has had a strong season and is looking to lock up the #2 seed in the RMAC playoffs.
They are currently ranked as the #14 team in the nation, with a 21-3 overall record and an 11-1 RMAC record.
They average 14.11 assists per set, which is best in the RMAC and second nationally at the Division II level.
They also defend well as a team, allowing opponents to hit just .175 against them, third-best in the conference.
Sabrina VanDeList has been one of the best setters in the conference throughout her career. She is leading the RMAC and is fourth nationally with 12.14 assists per set.
Sydney Leffler and Sierra Hunt are dangerous, along with Nicole Martin. They are second, fourth, and 15th in kills per set in the league, while Leffler's 4.72 is 19th in NCAA Division II.
Martin also leads the RMAC and is 16th in Division II with a hitting percentage of .390.
LOOKING AHEAD
If the Hardrockers win either of their matches this weekend, they will host a playoff game on Tuesday, Nov. 19. However, nothing is confirmed as of now.
You can find the latest on South Dakota Mines volleyball all year long on X and Instagram (@hardrockervb), and you can also follow 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.
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.
