Volleyball | 10/14/2015 12:42:00 PM
GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University women's volleyball team will host two teams from South Dakota this weekend. Western State will take on Black Hills State University Friday evening at 7 p.m., and host South Dakota School of Mines Saturday at 7 p.m. The Mountaineers are looking to stay in playoff contention with first-ever school victories over both squads. Western State is a combined 0-4 against the fairly-new Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference members.
The Mountaineers (6-13, 4-5 RMAC) are currently tied with Colorado Christian for seventh in the conference. Black Hills State University (6-11, 3-6 RMAC) has moved into a four-way tie for ninth with Chadron State, CSU-Pueblo and Adams State. South Dakota Mines (2-7, 6-13 RMAC) sit right under that group, tied with Westminster and N.M. Highlands for 13
th. Top eight in the conference advance to the RMAC Tournament.
Defense has been the key to the Mountaineer success, with the team leading the RMAC in least kills by opponents and least number of assists by opponents. The Mountaineers offense has also put the team in fourth in the conference in least opponent digs per set.
Jordan Eatwell has paved the way for the Mountaineer attack with 195 kills thus far. The trio of
Tori Gaherty (146),
Taylor Castillo (135) and
Molly Hothan (132) all have eclipsed the century kills mark for Western State.
Delivering out the ball with much success is setter
Allison Walker. Walker is fifth in the conference for assists per set, and has 566 asssists this season. She is also second on the team in digs with 152.
Leading the team in digs is libero
Amanda Maestas. Her 329 season digs is tied for the lead in the conference. Up front
Avery Burkholder has 55 total blocks, with Hothan in second with 50.
The Western State Athletic Administration is selling Family 4x4 Packs for the upcoming weekend. The $50 pack gives admission for four to all four events (volleyball Oct. 16-17, football Oct. 17 and soccer Oct. 18), and gives four popcorns, four drinks and four candy items to be used at any of the events.
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