RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Mines fought especially in the 2nd and 3rd sets but were unable to sustain it, falling in three sets to the #10 team in the nation.
In the first set, Colorado School of Mines started with a 3-1 lead before the Hardrockers would begin to fight back, tying the game at 7, but then Colorado School of Mines would go on a big run, taking a 19-11 lead. The Orediggers would close out the first set, winning it 25-16.
The second set started better for the Hardrockers, trailing by 1 through 11 points, down 6-5. The Orediggers gained some momentum from there scoring three straight points. Down 5, the Hardrockers took a timeout with the score 16-11. Out of the timeout, the Hardrockers would score five in a row leading to a Colorado School of Mines timeout with the Hardrockers leading 17-16. A kill by Shyann Bastian gave the Hardrockers the lead back at 19-18. A pair of Jacey Koethe kills would give South Dakota Mines a 22-20 lead. The Orediggers would get the momentum back, taking a 23-22 lead forcing a Hardrocker timeout. Sydney Crites would get a pair of kills, retying the set at 24. The Orediggers would take the set 27-25.
Koethe would continue to play well, getting the first two points of set three on a kill and a block. South Dakota Mines would continue its’ strong play, taking a 7-4 lead. The Orediggers would reclaim momentum, taking a 10-8 lead. An ace from Kiley Metzger would tie it up at 10. The two teams would trade points until Colorado School of Mines would take a 17-13 lead, forcing a Hardrocker timeout. Out of the timeout, South Dakota Mines would score 4-in-a-row, forcing an Oredigger timeout. A big block out of the timeout from Lily Bartling would give the Rockers the lead momentarily. Later, the Hardrockers would be forced into a timeout, trailing 22-19. The Orediggers would close out the set 25-19 and the match, 3-0.
