GUNNISON, Colo.,   Western Colorado volleyball turned in one of its most complete performances of the season on Saturday inside Paul Wright Gymnasium, challenging the visiting Colorado School of Mines Orediggers in several tight sets before falling 3–0 (22–25, 17–25, 16–25).

JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Colorado Mines defeats Western Colorado 3-0
Records: Western Colorado overall 1-17 (0-8 RMAC) | Colorado Mines 14-4 overall (5-3 RMAC)
Location:Paul Wright Gym (Gunnison, Colo.)

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Western Colorado opened the match with energy and precision, using a dominant 4–0 run from Kaira Willits to set the tone. Willits delivered two service aces in the opening stretch, while Anuhea Kaalele and Liv Marshall each notched early kills to ignite the Mountaineers' offense.
• The Mountaineers maintained their momentum midway through the set, as Olive Rolseth and Breanna Nohava combined for key points that kept Western in front late. Mines managed to rally with a late surge to steal the frame, 25–22, but the tone was set for a competitive afternoon in Gunnison.
• Western continued to showcase balanced play in the second frame, opening with another Nohava kill from Willits and smart setting from Kaalele and Galatia Andrew.
• The Mountaineers' attack gained rhythm with Rolseth and Kaalele each landing powerful swings through the Mines block.
• Despite holding momentum early, Mines closed the set on a late run to take the 25–17 decision. Western posted 14 kills in the frame and cut down its attack errors to just two, reflecting a sharp offensive improvement.
• The final set featured long rallies and strong defensive play from the Mountaineers. Andrew anchored the back row with a match-high 17 digs, while Kyra Kidd contributed several crucial blocks at the net. Rolseth continued to pace the attack, tallying multiple kills alongside Kaalele, who also added 14 assists and five digs.
• Western stayed within striking distance for much of the set, but Mines' efficient hitting proved too much as the Orediggers closed out the match, 25–16.

NET NOTES

• Rolseth led the Mountaineers' attack with 12 kills on 25 attempts, hitting an efficient .280 while adding two digs. Kaalele turned in a balanced all-around performance with 6 kills, 14 assists, 5 digs, and a block, contributing both as a setter and attacker. Nohava provided consistent production at the net with 6 kills on 14 swings for a .214 hitting percentage.
• At the setting position, Willits dished out 8 assists and added 2 service aces along with 7 digs to bolster the Mountaineer defense. Andrew anchored the back row with a match-high 17 digs while also handing out 7 assists.
• Kidd chipped in 4 kills and 2 total blocks, while Marshall added 4 kills and 8 digs in a strong two-way effort. Hernandez and Robins each recorded kills off the bench, with Hernandez contributing 3 digs and Robins adding 2. Depew and Willits also provided steady play in the rotation, rounding out a collective team effort that featured balanced offensive distribution and improving defensive consistency.

THEY SAID IT


UP NEXT
Western Colorado hit the road to play New Mexico Highlands and Adams State on Fri. Oct. 24 and Sat. Oct 25.