SPEARFISH, S.D. – With less than ten matches remaining in the regular season, Western Colorado University hits the road for a tour of South Dakota. Western's first stop will be a 7 p.m. matchup with Black Hills State University on Friday before making the short-trip down I-90 to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology for a 1 p.m. match on Saturday.
Western (1-16, 0-9 RMAC) heads out on the road looking for wins in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. In a four match home stand, Western showed glimpses of their potential in single set stints. This weekend, the Mountaineers will look to spread that success throughout the match against the South Dakota contingent of the RMAC.

On the season, Hanna Hendrickson continues to be a consistent performer for Western. Hendrickson's on court distribution continues at a steady pace, averaging 7.45 assists per set. Her efforts are the 10^th best in the RMAC ranks.

Offensively, Kirsten Companik and Kathleen Kasel continue to lead the Mountaineers in kills while Emilee Scates has made her presence felt in Western's most recent matches. Most recently, Scates comes off a 10 kill performance where she hit .500 against a strong Regis University squad.

At Black Hills State University (6-10, 3-6 RMAC) Western finds an opponent who has dropped four of their last five matches. Despite managing the fifth-most blocks per set in the RMAC, Black Hills State has also allowed opponents to gain 13.55 kills per set – the third highest tally in the conference.

Setter Laurel Lech distributes well for the Yellow Jackets averaging 8.58 assists per set. On the receiving end, BHSU has two strong arms in Sierra Stugelmeyer and Jadie DeLange who carrying the scoring load.

BHSU leads the all-time series against Western 4-2.

Down the highway in Rapid City, South Dakota Western finds South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (4-14, 1-8 RMAC). South Dakota Mines' last win came in September against NAIA Dickinson State.

Historically the Mountaineers have had the upper hand against the Hardrockers, leading 3-1 all-time.

Offensively, SD Mines stacks up well with the Mountaineers. On defense, however, the 'Rockers are one of the stronger teams in the RMAC tallying 15.89 digs per set.
Throughout the season, the Hardrockers have relied on the big arm of Dana Thomson. Thomson is the RMAC leader in kills per set at 4.47 per game. In 2018 has amassed a remarkable 286 kills while hitting .204. Her kill tally is nearly 160 terminations more than her closest teammate.

Be sure to check back throughout the weekend for recaps of all the action from South Dakota. And as always, both matches will be broadcast live on Stretch Internet.