GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University swept its second straight opponent Saturday evening with a three set victory (25-23, 25-21, 26-24) over South Dakota School of Mines. The Mountaineers earned their first-ever victory over the new Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opponent in school history. This was the first back-to-back sweep of opponents since October of 2010 and the first weekend sweep of opponents since October of 2007.
 
Defense remains the key to the Mountaineers (8-13, 6-5 RMAC) success, as the team held the Hardrockers (6-13, 2-9 RMAC) to a .063 hitting percentage. Western State has allowed only three teams in its last eight matches to hit above .100, and only one team in the last nine matches to hit above .200.
 
Offensively, Tori Gaherty led the way for the Mountaineers for the second-straight match. She had a match-high 12 kills and was second on the team with 13 digs. Taylor Castillo added 10 kills and had five total blocks. Allison Walker dished out 36 assists, putting her at 9.10 assists per set, nearly three assists more per set than last season.
 
The Mountaineers dominated the net, with three athletes with five total blocks. Along with Castillo, Avery Burkholder and Molly Hothan had five blocks.
 
Also for the Mountaineers, Amanda Maestas had a match-high 21 digs.
 
With the victory tonight the Mountaineers have sole possession of seventh place in the conference following a Chadron State upset of Colorado Christian. Western State has a full game lead on CCU, Adams State and CSU-Pueblo now, with matches remaining against all three opponents. Colorado Mesa and Regis University fell tonight, dropping each team to 8-3 and tied for fifth, two games ahead of the Mountaineers.