RAPID CITY, SD – South Dakota Mines Volleyball is set to renew the rivalry with Black Hills State on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the King Center.

Series History

The Yellow Jackets are 50-25 all-time against the Hardrockers, dating back to 1995. At the King Center, South Dakota Mines is 11-22. In recent seasons, South Dakota Mines has played well against Black Hills. They are on a three-game winning streak against the Yellow Jackets, including a 3-0 sweep on Oct. 22, 2024, at the King Center.

As this is the opener of the RMAC Regional Pod, this game will serve as a non-conference game.

About the Yellow Jackets

Black Hills State is 4-8 this season and 1-3 in the RMAC. Last weekend, they were swept by Colorado Christian and CSU Pueblo at the Donald E. Young Center. Their lone conference win was on Sept. 20 at Western Colorado, where they won 3-1. The Yellow Jackets come into this game with losses in four of their last five games.

Emily Freeland leads the Black Hills offense with 3.02 kills per set and 130 total kills. Ellie Thomas is third in the RMAC with her 4.44 digs per set. After finishing in last place in the RMAC in 2024, the Yellow Jackets were picked to finish in 15^th in the RMAC Preseason Poll.

About the Hardrockers

Through 12 games, South Dakota Mines is 2-10 overall and 2-2 in the RMAC. After playing a tough non-conference schedule, the Hardrockers rattled off a 3-0 win at Western Colorado and a 3-2 win at Fort Lewis. Last weekend, they fell 2-3 to CSU Pueblo and 0-3 to Colorado Christian at the King Center. In their loss against the ThunderWolves, Morgan Daugherty and Lexi Glendenning both had 22 kills.

Daugherty leads the team with her 150 kills and 3.26 kills per set. Glendenning is right behind her with 146 kills and 3.24 kills per set. Hannah Benes is second in the RMAC with 4.48 digs per set in 46 total sets played. Hannah Joseph's 8.64 assists per set is fifth in the conference. The Hardrockers were picked to finish in fourth place in the RMAC Preseason Poll.

Game Information

South Dakota Mines Hardrockers (2-10, 2-2 RMAC) vs. Black Hills State Yellow Jackets (4-8, 1-3 RMAC)
Date & Time: September 30, 2025 • 7 p.m.
Location: King Center
Live Coverage: Livestream | Live Stats

What's Next

South Dakota Mines will close out their four-game homestand against Chadron State on Friday at 6 p.m. They will go on the road on Oct. 10 to face (RV) UCCS, followed by a matchup with #8 MSU Denver on Oct. 11.