GUNNISON – Western State Colorado University women's volleyball team will host New Mexico Highlands University Friday evening at 7 p.m., then return to host CSU-Pueblo Saturday at 7 p.m.
 
The Mountaineers (7-7, 3-3 RMAC) are coming off of a rough weekend that involved two five-set losses. Western is currently tied for seventh in the RMAC with five other teams. New Mexico Highlands (5-6, 2-4 RMAC) is right behind the pack in seventh, while CSU-Pueblo (6-9. 4-2 RMAC) is tied for fourth with three other teams. Western fell to the Thunderwolves last month in the CSU-Pueblo Tournament.
 
Western has lost all but one match this season in conference that went to a fourth or more set, with the exception coming against Chadron State College. The team has also played in five fifth-set matches during the season, winning three of them.
 
The Mountaineer trio of Tori Gaherty, Molly Hothan and Jordan Eatwell have led the attack. Gaherty leads all with 174 kills, while Eatwell has 140 kills and Hothan has 128. Hothan leads the team with a .287 hitting percentage.
 
Defensively, Avery Burkholder has come on strong up front for the Mountaineers. She tallied 15 blocks last weekend and leads the team with 42 total blocks. Right behind her is Hothan with 41. Protecting behind them is Amanda Maestas with 237 digs, while Logan Franek and Caiden Rexius have added in 118 and 104 digs, respectfully.