GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University women's volleyball team swept Black Hills State University in three straight sets (25-20, 25-18, 25-19) Friday evening in Gunnison. This was the first victory over the Yellowjackets in Mountaineer history. It was also the first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference sweep of the season and first since November of last season.
 
The Mountaineers (7-13, 5-5 RMAC) were firing on all cylinders, holding the Yellowjackets (6-12, 3-7 RMAC) to a .093 hitting percentage, while hitting a season-high .274. Western State nearly doubled Black Hills State in kills (45-23), assists (42-23) and out served its opponents eight aces to two.
 
The tandem of Tori Gaherty and Molly Hothan led the team with 13 kills each. Gaherty had a match-high .367 hitting percentage and also dished out a team-high four block assists and 10 digs. Jordan Eatwell added in nine kills.
 
Defensively, setter Allison Walker led the team with 13 digs and 35 assists. She also had four service aces. Amanda Maestas added 10 digs and three aces.
 
The Mountaineers look to advance in the RMAC standings tomorrow evening when they take on South Dakota School of Mines at 7 p.m. in Paul Wright Gymnasium. Western State is currently tied for seventh in the conference with Colorado Christian University following the Cougars five-set upset of Regis University tonight. CSU-Pueblo and Adams State remain one game back from playoff contention, both with upcoming matches against Western State.