GUNNISON, Colo. --- Western Colorado volleyball is set to host two conference matches on Friday and Saturday in Paul Wright Gym. Making the trip to Gunnison for the matches will be South Dakota School of Mines & Technology on Friday to play at 7 p.m. (Pink Night) and Black Hills State University on Saturday to play at 6 p.m. (Family Appreciation Night). 
 
The Mountaineers currently rank tenth in the RMAC rankings with their 8-9 overall and 4-5 RMAC record. 
 
THE MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2019 SEASON STATS
Last week the Mountaineers were on the road in Denver as they faced two RMAC contenders on their home courts. Western Colorado fell to the Rangers 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-20) on Friday night, then went on to rally and swept the Cougars 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-21) on Saturday night to break their three game losing streak.
 
Fridays match was a tough one against Regis University as the Mountaineers lost the first set 25-15. They started to find a rhythm in the second set as they were able to tie at 23-23 before giving up the next two points. In the last set they slowly let the Rangers come away with the victory as they squeaked by a 25-20 win to take the match.
 
Saturday match was a different story as Hanna Hendrickson led the team to victory in the CCU Event Center. The Mountaineers won each set by an average of five points, in part by keeping their total team errors low. Hendrickson recorded 30 assists, 11 digs, five kills, and two aces on the night.
 
Leading WCU in kills in last week's matches was freshman Jordyn Todd who was able to record 16 kills in the six sets played. Hendrickson recorded five aces, along with having a total of 52 assists and 18 digs. Myles Hilbert led the team in digs with 32 over the two matches.
 
Season leaders for the Mountaineers:
Kills: #10 – Jordyn Todd – Freshman – 185 kills
Digs: #2 – Myles Hilbert – Freshman – 214 digs
Assists: #9 – Hanna Hendrickson – Junior – 523 assists
Service Aces: #10 – Jordyn Todd – Freshman – 17 aces / #2 – Lyria Brook – Junior – 17 aces
Blocks: #12 – Brianna Hardy – Freshman – 34 blocks
 
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology | 2019 SEASON STATS
The Hardrockers of South Dakota School of Mines & Technology come into Friday's game after upsetting now No. 2 RMAC ranked MSU-Denver 3-1 at home. The Hardrockers have lost four of their last six games with only two conference wins on the road this season.
 
South Dakota Mines sits just below the Mountaineers in the RMAC rankings, as they rank 11^th in the conference.
 
Season leaders for the Hardrockers:
Kills: #6 – Dana Thomason – Sophomore – 290 kills
Digs: #5 – Anna Thomas – Freshman – 399 digs
Assists: #2 – Shyann Bastian – Sophomore – 541 assists
Service Aces: #5 – Anna Thomas – Freshman – 22 aces
Blocks: #21 – Jacey Koethe – Freshman – 68 blocks
 
Black Hills State University | 2019 SEASON STATS
The Yellow Jackets of Black Hills State University come into Saturday's game after they play Colorado Mesa on Friday. Currently the Yellow Jackets are coming off of two straight losses at home as they fell to MSU-Denver 0-3, then lost 3-2 against Chadron State the following day.
 
Black Hills State sits ranks seventh in the RMAC rankings with their 7-14 overall and 5-4 RMAC rankings.
 
Season leaders for the Yellow Jackets:
Kills: #9 – Madison Hoopman – Sophomore – 166 kills
Digs: #5 – Haedyn Rhoades – Freshman – 307 digs
Assists: #15 – Laurel Lech – Senior – 366 assists
Service Aces: #13 – Peyton Bodemann – Sophomore – 22 aces
Blocks: #13 – Peyton Bodemann – Sophomore – 57 blocks
 
NEXT WEEK
Following this week's matches, the Mountaineers are set to play Dixie State the following Friday at 6 p.m. and then Westminster on Saturday at 4 p.m. as both games will be on the road.