RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Mines has been on a tear of late, winning six in a row, and are undefeated at home going into their RMAC Quarterfinal as they are 9-0 on the season.
In addition, they are coming off a victory over #14 Colorado Mesa at home on Saturday night.
The Hardrockers are firing on all cylinders and welcome in the #6 seed, Colorado Christian.
GAME INFORMATION
CCU
Date/Time: Nov. 19 / 7:00 p.m.
Site: Rapid City, S.D.
Arena: King Center
Series Overall: CCU leads 9-3.
Streak: South Dakota Mines Won 2
Last Meeting: South Dakota Mines won in Rapid City, 3-0 (11/3/23).
Tickets: Hudl Ticketing
Watch Live: RMAC Network (Pay-Per-View)
TERRIFIC TRIO
For the first time in program history, South Dakota Mines swept the RMAC Weekly Awards. The well-deserving trio of
Alessandra Meoni,
Hannah Benes, and
Alessandra Meoni were named offensive, defensive, and setter of the week after the Hardrockers won both games, including victories over Westminster and the #14 nationally ranked Colorado Mesa Mavericks.
This past weekend, Meoni showcased her versatility with a pair of double-doubles, recording 15 digs in each match and a total of 30 kills.
Hannah Benes earned her second RMAC Player of the Week award of the season, recording 44 digs, five aces, and 11 assists.
Kiley Metzger recorded 66 assists and maintained a hitting percentage of over .350. Her standout moment came on Saturday when she achieved a double-double, recording 15 digs.
KEEPING RALLIES GOING
The Hardrockers average 18.03 digs per set, which leads the RMAC and ranks 26th at the NCAA Division II level.
SETTING TEAMMATES UP
As a team, the Hardrockers average 12.48 assists per set, which is fourth in the RMAC and in the top 40 in NCAA Division II.
Of course, a big part of this is
Kiley Metzger's play. Metzger is averaging 9.97 assists per set, fourth in the RMAC and top-50 in NCAA Division II.
ATOP THE RMAC
Alessandra Meoni has been developing a case for RMAC Player of the Year all year long. She averages 4.07 kills per set and 4.62 points per set, both second in the league. Meoni is eighth in hitting percentage and has the most total kills in the league, with 399. The kills per set, points per set, and total kills are all top-25 in NCAA Division II.
BENES IS BEST
Hannah Benes has been among the best liberos in the league for two years, and she's showing it this year as she leads the conference in digs per set, averaging 4.93, while her aces per set sit at .54, which is also best in the RMAC and 25th in NCAA Division II.
SCOUTING CCU
CCU is currently the #8 team in the most recent South Central Regional Rankings, which helps determine who makes the NCAA Division II tournament.
Overall, the Cougars are 17-9 overall and 9-5 in the RMAC.
As a team, they are near the top of the conference in several statistical categories, including assists per set (third), blocks per set (third), digs per set (third), hitting percentage (third), and kills per set (second).
Izzy Jones is second in the RMAC, averaging 10.91 assists per set, which is 16th in NCAA Division II.
Lilly Woods and Renee Phillips hit over .350, while Woods is also third in the league in blocks per set, averaging 1.33.
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.
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.
