RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Mines Volleyball resumes RMAC play this week as they go to Black Hills State on Tuesday followed by a home contest against #25 Colorado School of Mines on Saturday.

Series History

Since 1995, Black Hills State holds a 50-26 record over South Dakota Mines. However, the Hardrockers have won six consecutive games, including a 3-1 victory on Sept. 25 at the King Center. Cate Warren put up 15 kills in that contest.

Colorado School of Mines is 10-4 against South Dakota Mines. Their last contest in Rapid City was a 3-1 victory on Oct. 13, 2023. The Hardrockers took down the Orediggers 3-2 in Golden last season, guided by 17 kills from Joy Aburto.

About the Yellow Jackets

Black Hills State is 9-13 overall and 4-6 in the RMAC this season. They went 1-1 in the RMAC Power Pod last week, falling to Chadron State and defeating Western Colorado in a reverse sweep. Black Hills state has won three of their last five contests.

Carsyn Mettler leads the Yellow Jackets with 2.95 kills per set and 251 total kills. Izzy Saiki is fifth in the RMAC in aces and 13^th in kills. Their team .199 hitting percentage and 1.53 aces per set are both the seventh-best mark in the RMAC. The Yellow Jackets are tied for ninth place in the RMAC with four matches remaining.

About the Orediggers

Coming into the week, #22 Colorado School of Mines is 19-3 overall and 8-2 in the RMAC. They are on a 12-game winning streak with their last loss on Sept. 12 at #18 MSU Denver. The Orediggers have not lost a set in that streak. They will take on Black Hills State on Friday night.

Jenna McLaughlin leads the RMAC with a .392 hitting percentage with her 3.04 kills per set. Her 1.49 blocks per set also lead the conference. Kaiya Gilbert's 10.08 assists per set have earned her five RMAC Setter of the Week awards. The Orediggers are second in the RMAC and second in the latest NPI rankings.

About the Hardrockers

South Dakota Mines enter the week on a six-game winning streak, their longest of the season. They are 17-5 overall and 7-3 in the RMAC. Last weekend, the Hardrockers swept both Regis and New Mexico Highlands in the RMAC Power Pod. In their six-game unbeaten streak, the Rockers have lost just three total sets.

Cate Warren leads the Hardrockers and is fourth in the RMAC with 3.39 kills per set. Maria Bouman's 45 aces lead the RMAC, while her .372 hitting percentage ranks third. Bouman is also averaging 1.08 blocks per set, the eighth-best mark in the conference. South Dakota Mines sits fifth in the RMAC and seventh in this week's NPI rankings.

Week Information

Game 1: South Dakota Mines Hardrockers (17-5, 7-3 RMAC) at Black Hills State Yellow Jackets (9-13, 4-6 RMAC)
Date & Time: October 27, 2026 • 6 p.m.
Location: Donald E. Young Center
Live Coverage: Livestream | Live Stats

Game 2: South Dakota Mines Hardrockers (17-5, 7-3 RMAC) vs. Colorado School of Mines Orediggers (19-3, 8-2 RMAC)
Date & Time: October 31, 2026 • 3 p.m.
Location: King Center
Live Coverage: Livestream | Live Stats

What's Next

The Hardrockers will go to Westminster and (RV) Colorado Mesa next weekend to conclude the regular season.