GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team hosted #1-ranked MSU Denver on Tuesday evening at Lockridge Arena and fell in straight sets.
 
There were still highlights for the Orediggers (6-12, 3-5 RMAC) in defeat. Taylor Helms recorded 10 kills. Hannah Kinnison and Kekililani Helekahi each recorded a service ace. Allison Jansen notched two total blocks. Finally, Jada Price produced 10 digs and Olivia Murillo had nine digs. MSU Denver (17-1, 8-0 RMAC) remained undefeated in conference play and extended its win streak to 11. Mines to 10th in the league standings. Seven total blocks for the Roadrunners and a team attack percentage of .333 were the biggest advantages for the visitors. Mines hit just .136 and gave up five service aces as well.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first set of the evening was arguably the most competitive. Both teams went back and forth early before the visitors pushed their lead to 19-11. However, the Orediggers surged late before a MSU Denver timeout iced the rally and helped clinch a 25-19 win. Mines converted at .136 on offense compared to the Roadrunners' .231 hitting percentage. Six digs from Price and four kills by Helms couldn't offset three blocks by MSU Denver.
 
After the opening frame, the Roadrunners took full control of the match. They hit .462 in the second frame and won, 25-16. An attack percentage of .417 in the third set clinched a 25-15 win and the sweep for MSU Denver. Hope Storm did produce 10, second-set assists, and Helms produced six more kills across the last two games. There were even six ties and three lead changes in the final set. At the end of the night, the top-ranked team in the nation and defending RMAC champions back upped their standing.
 
NOTABLES
- The all-time series between Mines and MSU Denver now sits at 71-21, in favor of the Roadrunners.
- The Orediggers and MSU Denver have played before with the Roadrunners ranked #1 in the nation. It was the 2021 RMAC Tournament championship match, and Mines won in five sets.
- Storm surpassed 100 assists in just her third match of the season.
- As a true freshman, Helms has turned in double-digit kills eight times in 18 appearances and ranks second on the team in total kills and kills per set.
- The net camera for the challenge review system went out of focus zero times during Saturday's match. There was one challenge. It was a successful one by the Orediggers.
- Head Coach Jamie Magalei is now 360-134 in her 17th season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines closes out its regular-season home schedule this weekend, hosting CSU Pueblo on Friday at 7 p.m. and Adams State on Saturday at 5 p.m. Free live stats and video on the RMAC Network will be available. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines volleyball on "X" (formerly Twitter) at @minesvolleyball and on Instagram at @mines.volleyball. They can also follow all of Mines Athletics year around on Facebook, "X", and Instagram at @MinesAthletics.