RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Mines Volleyball is back on the road this weekend to take on (RV) UCCS and #12 MSU Denver.

Series History

All-time against UCCS, the Hardrockers are 4-10. South Dakota Mines swept the Mountain Lions in each of their last two matchups in 2023 and 2024. In Colorado Springs, South Dakota Mines is 2-5 with their last win in the 2021 season.

MSU Denver holds an 11-1 all-time record against South Dakota Mines, including a 7-0 record in Denver. The last Hardrockers win came on Oct. 12, 2019, at the King Center. Since then, the Roadrunners have swept the Hardrockers in six straight matches.

About the Mountain Lions

UCCS has the most wins in the RMAC so far this season with a 12-2 overall record and 3-1 RMAC record. They went 1-1 in the RMAC Regional Pod last week with a 2-3 loss to CSU Pueblo and a 3-1 win over Regis. They were swept by MSU Denver on Tuesday in Denver.

Payton Tompkins leads the offense with her 168 total kills and 3.57 kills per set, the third-best mark in the RMAC. Nicole Martin's .060 aces per set leads the RMAC this season. The Mountain Lions were picked to finish in eighth place in the RMAC after they went 11-15 last year.

About the Roadrunners

#12 MSU Denver is 11-3 and 3-1 in the RMAC so far this season. They went 1-1 in the RMAC Regional Pod last weekend as they fell 0-3 to Colorado School of Mines but rebounded with a 3-0 win at Colorado Christian. They swept UCCS on Tuesday night.

Annika Helf's 3.40 kills per set is first on the team. Karyna Werley has been very efficient this season with her 133 kills, 289 assists, 19 aces, 17 blocks, and .352 hitting percentage. MSU Denver was picked to repeat as RMAC Champions for the fifth straight season.

About the Hardrockers

Through 14 contests, South Dakota Mines is 4-10 and 2-2 in the RMAC. They defeated Black Hills State 3-1 last Tuesday and swept Chadron State on Friday in the RMAC Regional Pod. Lexi Glendenning totaled 30 kills between the three matches for the Hardrockers. On the road this season, the Hardrockers are 2-0 in RMAC contests.

Glendenning leads the Hardrockers with her 3.38 kills per set and 176 total kills. Morgan Daugherty is right behind her with 3.32 kills per set. Hannah Joseph is averaging 8.43 assists per set this season. Hannah Benes leads the RMAC with 4.57 digs per set in 53 sets played. Kiera Walsh has 29 blocks, while Daugherty is second with 27 blocks. South Dakota Mines was picked fourth in the RMAC Preseason Poll.

Weekend Information

Oct. 10: South Dakota Mines at (RV) UCCS at 6 p.m.
Location: Gallogly Events Center
Live Coverage: Livestream | Live Stats

Oct. 11: South Dakota Mines at #12 MSU Denver at 3 p.m.
Location: Auraria Event Center
Live Coverage: Livestream | Live Stats

What's Next

South Dakota Mines will return home next weekend to take on New Mexico Highlands on Oct. 17 and Adams State on Oct. 18. The Hardrockers will go on a five-game road trip after next weekend.