GUNNISON, Colo. --- The Western Colorado volleyball team is scheduled to play in their first RMAC Tournament since 2015. The Mountaineers will play the Orediggers of Colorado School of Mines on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the quarterfinals. The Mountaineers enter the tournament as the No. 5 seed, as the Orediggers are the No. 4 seed.
 
The format for the tournament is one out elimination. The winner of Thursdays match will move onto the semifinals scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m., with the finals scheduled for Saturday at 6:00 p.m. The winner between Western Colorado and Colorado Mines will play the winner of Colorado Mesa and UCCS.
 
MOUNTAINEERS DURING THE REGULAR SEASON | SEASON STATS
Western Colorado finished their regular season with a 6-7 record, placing them No. 6 in the conference. Since Regis University dropped out of the RMAC Tournament due to Covid, the Mountaineers moved up into the No. 5 seed spot. Western Colorado is 3-0 this season when playing neutral site matches. The Mountaineers have won three of their last four matches heading into Thursday.
 
All-RMAC Second Team Hanna Hendrickson has been a key player this season, leading the Mountaineers in assists averaging 8.70 per set, with 487 assists this season. Many of those assists going to All-RMAC Second Team Jordyn Todd, who leads the team in points (171), kills (158), and total attacks (531). Senior Lyria Brook leads the team in digs this season as she earned 194 digs over their 13-match season. At the net, freshman Savanna Meyer is a tough player to get the ball past as she leads the team with 59 blocks.
 
OREDIGGERS DURING THE REGULAR SEASON | SEASON STATS
Colorado School of Mines started their season strong with only one loss in their first nine matches, but the Orediggers have lost their last three matches. Only three of their 12 matches have gone into the fifth set, with one of those coming from when CSM played Western Colorado earlier this season.
 
Leading the Orediggers offensively is junior Taylor Hicken who leads the team in points (169.5) and kills (145). Most of those kills came from an assist from Drew Stokes who has recorded 501 assist on the season. Junior Elle Duis leads Colorado School of Mines in digs with 216 digs, as teammate Julia Eiken leads the team in blocks with 35.
 
LAST MATCH VERSUS CSM
The Mountaineers fell 3-2 to the Orediggers at home earlier this season, sending two of the five sets into overtime. Western Colorado managed to put up five aces, along with out blocking Colorado School of Mines.