GUNNISON, Colo. – The Western Volleyball team heads to the Front Range this weekend for a series of tough tests in the midst of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) schedule. On Friday, the Mountaineers play the #22 Orediggers of Colorado School of Mines at 7 pm. Following the Mines match, Western heads down the road to Colorado Christian University for a 5 pm match on Saturday, 10/14/17.
Western, 1-16 (0-8 RMAC), continues a four match road stretch in facing the Orediggers on Friday.
With two road tough road matches on tap, the Mountaineers look to play their best ball. Rising to the occasion is not without prescedent for a young Western team as they one of their best matches of the year against nationally ranked Regis University, even taking the third set from the Rangers.
To bring the same pressure to the Orediggers and Cougars, Western will look to the steady hitting of middle
Taylor Ferrel (.202 hitting percentage) and the big arm of
Jordan Eatwell. Defensively,
Logan Franek continues to lead the Mountaineers with 4 digs per set while
Kathleen Kasel and Ferrel offer a solid block in the middle. Franek should also lead the Mountaineers from the service line with 26 aces on the season.
In the Orediggers, 14-3 (8-0 RMAC), the Mountaineers find the #22 ranked team in country in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll. After six weeks of the RMAC schedule, Colorado School of Mines remains undefeated in conference play. Statistically, the Orediggers are a dominant force offensively in the RMAC. Heading into the weekend, they lead the RMAC in hitting percentage (.274), assists (14.39 per set), and kills (15.25 per set). Setting up the attack is setter Marina Hansen who averages 13.29 assists per set which leads the RMAC. The top recipients of Hansen's efforts are middles Ellie Monarch (.364 hitting percentage and 3.31 kills per set) and Abby Tiesman (.348 hitting percentage). Additionally, outside hitter Lindsey Jin is coming off a Week 6 RMAC Offensive Player of the Week selection.
On Saturday, Western will face Colorado Christian University 10-7 (7-1 RMAC), the fourth best team in the RMAC. After a tough preseason schedule, the Cougars come into the weekend riding a six match win streak. With a strong presence at the net, Colorado Christian leads the RMAC in blocking, averaging 17.27 blocks per set – nearly 3 more per set than the next best team in the conference. Additionally the Cougars are the second best team in the RMAC in tallying kills and also boast the second best assists ratio in the conference. Leading a balanced game for the Cougars is setter Kylee Wurster (11.53 assists per set). Sophia Proano and Hope Baldrica both are top ten RMAC performers in hitting percentage while Proano also factors as a big kill presence for the Cougars.
For those unable to travel this weekend, you can always watch the match live or follow the live stats through the links provide here.
