GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University volleyball flexed their muscles on Friday night at home against South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. The Mountaineers dismantled the Hardrockers, winning the match in four sets, 3-1 (25-18, 25-19, 15-25, 25-22).
 
Western (2-18, 1-10 RMAC) and SDSMT (3-18, 1-10 RMAC) traded points to begin the match on Friday in Paul Wright Gym. The Mountaineers then took control with a 6-0 run to go ahead 10-5 in the first set.
 
After the run, Western led for the next 44 points in the match, taking the first set 25-18 and the second set 25-19.
 
The Mountaineers hit .116 in the first and .200 in the second set.
 
Jordan Eatwell accounted for eight of Western's 25 points in the second set. The senior recorded seven kills and had one service ace in the set. Eatwell would lead all players with 14 kills in the match.
 
The Hardrockers would get a set back in the third, winning 25-15.
 
However, the Mountaineers would not be denied on their home court.
 
SDSMT was looking to push the match into a fifth set and were on their way, leading 16-13 midway through the third.
 
A 6-1 run would erase the Hardrocker lead and the Mountaineers were out to a 19-17 lead.
 
SDSMT clawed their way into a 21-21 tie before Western took a timeout. The Mountaineers scored the next 4-of-5 points to take the set 25-22 and the match 3-1.
 
Western's services consistently pressured the Hardrocker defense. The Mountaineers recorded six service aces throughout the match. Kathleen Kasel accounted for three of those aces, while Logan Franek recorded two and Lyria Brook added one.
 
The Mountaineers will be back on the Paul Wright Gym court Saturday night at 7 p.m. against Black Hills State University.