GUNNISON – Western State Colorado University women's volleyball team will host a blackout night when it takes on Colorado Mesa University this Thursday at 7 p.m. for the 2016 season home opener. The Mountaineers will also host Westminster College for the first time on Friday at 7 p.m.
 
The Mountaineers (4-4, 0-0 RMAC) are led early in the season by a group of seniors. Tori Gaherty has nearly 100 kills in eight matches to lead the team, while setter Allison Walker has nearly 200 assists. They are joined by libero Amanda Maestas' 136 digs.
 
Also for the Mountaineers, senior middles Molly Hothan and Avery Burkholder have shared the load up front with 19 total blocks each. The two along with Gaherty and Jordan Eatwell make up the main front for the Mountaineers, as the four have combined for 270 of the 348 kills in the first eight matches.
 
The Mountaineers look to end the Mavericks six-match win streak and take down the team that knocked them out of the RMAC Tournament last season. Mesa is led by the RMAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, sophomore libero Taylor Woods, and outside hitter Mackenzie Edwards. Woods is second in the conference in digs, while Edwards is third in kills/set with more than four put downs per set.