GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University women's volleyball returns home to Gunnison this weekend after eight straight road matches to open the season. Western hosts New Mexico Highlands University on Friday at 7:00 p.m.  in Paul Wright Gym before returning Saturday afternoon to host Colorado State University – Pueblo at 3:00 p.m. 
 
Fresh off a win versus Southern Arkansas University to close out the South Central Classic, Western (1-7) looks to keep their winning ways as they open up Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.
 
Nine games into the season, Western's offense is beginning to find some consistency. Outside hitter, Kirsten Companik leads Western in kills with 49 on the season. Across 25 sets, Companik's production has been consistent and includes a 12 kill burst to help the Mountaineers to their first win over Southern Arkansas. 
 
Playing the middle position for the Mountaineers, Kathleen Kasel has gotten off to a solid start in 2018. Kasel has played every set for Western, averaging 1.62 kills per game on .136 hitting for a total of 42 kills – the second most on the team. Kasel also leads Western in blocking with 12 total on the season, 11 of which have been assisted. 
 
Defensively, Cammi Baumann sits just outside of the top ten performers in the RMAC with four digs per set. 
 
As a team, Western has the second most service aces of any team in the RMAC.
 
When the Mountaineers take to the court against NMHU (2-6) they face a team similar to themselves. The Cowgirls are a road-weary squad, also fresh off a win to conclude their weekend at the South Central Classic. Like Western, NMHU has also downed Southern Arkansas University this season. 
 
Statistically, Western fairs well against the NMHU as both teams are managing similar numbers in key components of the game. 
 
Leading the Cowgirls offensively are a tandem of Tiffany Matchett and Camryn Nelson who both boast over 60 kills in 30 sets played this season. Defensively, Elena Rivera is amongst the RMAC leaders in digs. 
 
Saturday, Western will take the court in a mid-afternoon match against Colorado State University-Pueblo (2-7). The Thunderwolves enter their Friday match on a one game slide. Early in the season, CSU-Pueblo took down Southeast Oklahoma State – a team Western fell to at the South Central Classic. 
 
On the attack, Mallorie Post and Brooke Schilling lead the Thunderwolves with 83 kills on the season. In the process, Post is hitting .243 for her team. 
 
From a leadership perspective, CSU-Pueblo is splitting significant time at the setter position as both Kelsey Bell and Grace Hern average over seven assists per game. 
 
Defensively Page Heller is one of the top defensive specialists in the RMAC with 161 digs on the season. 
 
Be sure to come support your Mountaineers in Paul Wright Gym this weekend and to catch all the analysis and stats on gomountaineers.com.