GUNNISON, Colo. --- Western Colorado volleyball prepares to host two conference matches this week, one on Friday and one Saturday in Paul Wright Gym. Making the trip from the Front Range to Gunnison will be University of Colorado Colorado Springs on Friday to play at 7 p.m. and on Saturday to play at 3 p.m. will be Colorado School of Mines (Senior Night).
 
The Mountaineers move up three sports in the RMAC rankings after last week's victories, as they currently rank 10th in the conference with their 10-13 overall and 6-9 RMAC record.
 
THE MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2019 SEASON STATS
Last week the Mountaineers played two matches in Paul Wright Gym as they faced two RMAC contenders. Western Colorado clinched the victory over Adams State 3-0 (25-9, 25-21, 25-14) on Friday night, then came back and won on Saturday against Fort Lewis 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22).
 
The Mountaineers had a dominant performance on Friday night as they won the first set by 16 points, setting the pace for the match. The Grizzlies put up a fight in the second set as they were tied up at 20-20, until Western Colorado went on a 5-1 run to close out the second. Again the Mountaineers dominated the third set, sending the Grizzlies home.
 
Saturday was a similar story as the Mountaineer won the match in the fourth set over the Skyhawks of Fort Lewis. Western Colorado again claimed an early lead as they won the first two sets, they then allowed Fort Lewis to take the third set 25-22 before the Mountaineers ended the match after winning the fourth set 25-22.
 
Leading WCU in kills in last week's matches was freshman Jordyn Todd who was able to record 21 kills in the seven sets played. Hanna Hendrickson recorded 20 digs, along with having a total of 67 assists. Myles Hilbert led the team in digs with 38 over the two matches, along with six aces over the seven sets played. Making a defensive wall for the Mountaineers were upperclassmen Maddy Johnson and Emilee Scates as they each recorded seven blocks.
 
Season leaders for the Mountaineers:
Kills: #10 – Jordyn Todd – Freshman – 234 kills
Digs: #2 – Myles Hilbert – Freshman – 327 digs
Assists: #9 – Hanna Hendrickson – Junior – 689 assists
Service Aces: #2 – Lyria Brook – Junior – 25 aces
Blocks: #12 – Brianna Hardy – Freshman – 48 blocks
 
University of Colorado Colorado Springs | 2019 SEASON STATS
The Mountain Lions of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs come into Friday's match after winning against Chadron State in the fifth set last Saturday and losing to MSU-Denver on Friday. 
 
UCCS sits just on the bubble for making the RMAC Tournament as they rank eighth with their 10-13 overall and 8-7 RMAC record.
 
Season leaders for the Mountain Lions:
Kills: #4 – Grace Nelson – Senior – 204 kills
Digs: #2 – Jordyn Kinsey – R-Sophomore – 361 digs
Assists: #6 – Emily Ettel – Freshman – 487 assists
Service Aces: #10 – Raelynn Edge – R-Junior – 29 aces
Blocks: #3 – Lauren Brown – Senior – 60 blocks
 
Colorado School of Mines | 2019 SEASON STATS
The Orediggers of Colorado School of Mines come into Saturday's game after they play Colorado Mesa on Friday. Currently the Ore are coming off of a two game win streak, with one of those games being a victory over RMAC No.2 MSU-Denver.
 
Colorado School of Mines sits rank fifth in the RMAC rankings with their 10-5 overall and 17-6 RMAC records.
 
Season leaders for the Orediggers:
Kills: #12 – Abby Tiesman – Senior – 315 kills
Digs: #6 – Elle Duis – Sophomore – 353 digs
Assists: #18 – Drew Stokes – Sophomore – 996 assists
Service Aces: #12 – Abby Tiesman – Senior – 24 aces
Blocks: #12 – Abby Tiesman – Senior – 85 blocks
 
NEXT WEEK
Following this week's matches, the Mountaineers will only have one more regular season game on the road against Colorado Mesa on Friday, November 15th at 7 p.m.