RAPID CITY, S.D. – Western Colorado University Volleyball earned their first conference victory of the season in dominating fashion on Saturday night. The Mountaineers won in four sets on the road against South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (25-15, 17-25, 25-23, 25-20).
 
Western (2-17, 1-10 RMAC) torched the Hardrockers in the first set. Following two kills by Kathleen Kasel and two errors by SDSMT (4-16, 1-10 RMAC), the Mountaineers were out to a 22-8 lead. The Hardrockers would make a comeback attempt, but it was too little, too late as Western rolled to a 25-15 first-set win.
 
SDSMT rebounded in the second set, leading from start to finish and tying the match with a 25-17 second-set win.
 
The third set was back-and-forth. Late in the match, Western grasped a one-point lead, 24-23, needing one more point to take a critical 2-1 lead in the match. Kirsten Companik gave the Mountaineers the lead with a kill from the outside.
 
Companik was one of three Mountaineers to record double-digit kills on Saturday. Western was led by Chelsea Bostwick's 13 kills, followed by Companik's 11 and Emilee Scates' 10.
 
Mid-way through the fourth set, Western and SDSMT were tied 15-15. A 7-3 run by the Mountaineers put some space between the two teams, giving Western a 22-18 lead.
 
The Mountaineers ended the match with their seventh ace of the match, the final ace by Lyria Brook.
 
Teammate Lauren Harrell led the team with three service aces, while Cammi Baumann added two.
 
Hanna Hendrickson led the team with 33 assists, and Baumann recorded a team-high 30 digs.
 
Western will look to continue their winning streak at home next Friday when they host Westminster College at 7 p.m. in Paul Wright Gym.