#8 Mines (3-1, 3-1 RMAC) at Western Colorado (1-1, 1-1 RMAC) – Thursday, 7 p.m. – Gunnison, Colo. [Live Stats] [Live Video]
 

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ROAD TRIPPIN'
The Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team takes its first true road trip of the season this week as they head to Gunnison, Colo., on Thursday. Mines will face Western Colorado at 7 p.m. in search of the team's third straight win. The Orediggers boast back-to-back sweeps while the Mountaineers are fresh off their first win of the season. It's a one-match trek for Mines as they play inside "The Highest Collegiate Gym in the World" at 7,723 feet.
 
NO SPECTATORS FOR MINES WINTER SPORTS
No spectators are allowed inside Paul Wright Gym for Thursday's match. Additionally, the Colorado School of Mines policy of not admitting spectators will continue for all winter sports – including volleyball – until further notice. Although Jefferson County was recently moved back to Level Yellow by the state, facility capacity restrictions still make it impossible to welcome fans to campus at this time. Mines Athletics will continuously re-evaluate this policy as government guidance changes in the future.
 
FREE ON THE RMAC NETWORK
Fans and teams alike are certainly disappointed that no spectators are allowed to attend matches. However, everyone can keep up with each point live and for free on the RMAC Network at www.minesathletics.com/tv. The RMAC Network can also be found on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, and Android TV devices by going to the app store and searching "RMAC". Additionally, live stats are available with links above and on the volleyball schedule page at www.minesathletics.com.
 
LOOKING BACK
Mines' last action was its home opener on Sunday against South Dakota Mines. The Orediggers swept the Hardrockers at Lockridge arena, and earned redemption for last year's five-set heartbreaker against SDM. Taylor Hicken led all players with 11 kills and .625 on the day. Lindsey Jin and Amanda Donais provided 10 kills each as well. Jin converted at a rate of .667 while Donais notched the 11th double-double of her career with 11 digs. Drew Stokes added 38 assists. Elle Duis racked up 13 digs. Julia Eiken led at the net with four total blocks. As a team, Mines hit .370 and limited South Dakota Mines to just one block and four aces.
 
SCOUTING WESTERN COLORADO
As mentioned above, Western Colorado is fresh off its first win of the season. The Mountaineers defeated Adams State in four sets at Paul Wright Gym in Gunnison. Western's other match was a sweep at the hands of now #4-ranked MSU Denver. Overall, WCU has had four matches postponed due to COVID-19 issues. Individually, Jordyn Todd leads the WCU attack with 3.14 kills per set, but hits just .114 on offense. At setter, Hanna Hendrickson shoulders most of the load by way of 40 assists. Lyria Brook touts over five digs per set and Savanna Meyer boasts eight blocks in just two matches. Head Coach Jessica Fey is in her third year at the helm, and has 14 victories to her name including the win over ASU.
 
WHAT'S A MOUNTAINEER?
Western Colorado University, previously known as Colorado State Normal School and Western State Colorado University, uses the nickname Mountaineers for its athletics programs. Merriam-Webster defines a Mountaineer as a native or inhabitant of a mountainous region, or a person who climbs mountains for sport. The institution lives up to its nickname as the first school (1901) on the Western Slope of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Western Colorado further embraces its geological location and history with its Mountain Sports program which includes freeride skiing and snowboarding, alpine ski racing, Nordic ski racing and many more. With three freeride skiing athletes qualifying for the Freeride World Tour, it's clear Western Colorado is truly, the Mountaineers
 
SERIES HISTORY
Thursday will be the 70th all-time meeting on the volleyball court between Mines and Western Colorado. The Orediggers are 32-36-1 in the series. Yes, that's right, there was a 1-1 tie in 1980. However, Mines currently boasts an active, five-match win streak against the Mountaineers. The most recent meeting was a 3-0 decision for the Orediggers in Gunnison. Lindsey Jin and Abby Tiesman both had 12 kills while Jin produced a .500 hitting percentage. Tiesman hit .706 with zero errors. Everything else proved mostly even besides Mines' .337-.040 advantage on the attack. The Orediggers haven't lost to WCU since Sept. 25, 2015 and have dropped just one total game since that setback. In fact, 11 of the last 13 victories for Mines against Western Colorado have been sweeps.
 
RMAC SETTER OF THE WEEK
For the second time in three weeks, Drew Stokes earned RMAC Setter of the Week distinction. Stokes claimed the 12th weekly honor of her career following a 38-assist, nine-dig performance on Sunday in the Orediggers' sweep of South Dakota Mines. She also added two service aces in the win. The Murphysboro, Ill., native retained her spot at #1 in the nation in assists per set. She's also ranked #3 in the nation in total assists. Stokes sits #2 in the RMAC in total assists, just 15 back of the leader in four less sets while averaging over 11 assists per set. Less than three years into her career, the junior sits #3 all-time at Mines in career assists with 2,895.
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS
Mines jumped eight spots to #8 in the the AVCA Division II Coaches' Top-25 on Wednesday. The Orediggers' sweep of South Dakota Mines fueled the rise. It marks Mines' highest ranking since 2015 when the Orediggers appeared at #6 after week one of the regular season. Mines started the 2015 campaign ranked #8. The Orediggers opened 2021 ranked 19th and rose into a tie for 16th last week. The Orediggers are one of five RMAC teams in the top-25 and one of three inside the top-10. MSU Denver leads the way for the conference at #4 in the nation. Colorado Mesa is just one step ahead of Mines at #7. Regis jumped from 24th to 17th thanks to its first win of the season. UCCS charged into the top-25 at 22nd after not being ranked a week ago.
 
GROUND RULES
After the NCAA canceled all of its 2020 fall championships, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference presidents voted to postpone a majority of the fall seasons – including volleyball – until the spring. In the interim, conference and institutional personnel developed the rules and processes to return to play and the requirements to hold a RMAC Volleyball Tournament. All teams competing this spring will undergo weekly testing, and every person in the gym for a match will wear masks except the players actively competing on the floor. The schedule features 13 conference matches for each team. New Mexico Highlands has preemptively opted out of the season leaving 14 programs competing. In order to declare an RMAC champion and to hold a conference tournament, at least five teams must complete 50 percent of their originally approved schedule. Up to eight teams can qualify for the RMAC postseason. There is still no NCAA Volleyball postseason for the 2020-21 academic year.
 
UP NEXT
Mines' next action will be a RMAC Pod on Saturday, Feb. 20th at Black Hills State. UCCS will be the third team in Spearfish, S.D. The Orediggers play at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. No spectators are anticipated. Live stats and video will be available for free at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can follow the Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team on Twitter at @MinesVolleyball and on Instagram at @Mines_Volleyball. Fans can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.