SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University volleyball team finishes out its road games for the month in Colorado against Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opponents Colorado Mesa University and Western State, on Friday, October 20 and Saturday, October 21. First serve is set for 7 p.m. both nights.
Colorado Mesa holds a 12-6 record on the season, and is 6-4 in conference action. The Mavericks landed three players on the Preseason All-RMAC team including Taylor Woods, MacKenzie Edwards, and Hattie Gianinetti. Woods was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Edwards leads the Mavericks with 266 kills in 18 matches played. She averages 3.91 kills per set and earned RMAC player of the week once so far this season. Joining Edwards on offense is Samantha Ritter. Ritter has earned RMAC Player of the Week accolades twice, and owns 700 assists on the season with a 10.29 per set average.
On defense, Woods has tallied 331 digs with a 4.87 dig per set average, to rank second in the conference. Woods earned RMAC Second Team All-RMAC at the end of the 2016 season, as well as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors. Natalee Todd works alongside Woods on the Maverick defense. Todd has registered 40 blocks with a 0.67 block per set average.
Western State owns a 1-18 record overall, and 0-10 in conference.
Jordan Eatwell leads the way for the Mountaineers with 154 kills and a 2.44 kill per set average. Hanna Hendrickson joins Eatwell on the offense with 445 assists and a 7.18 assist per set average.
Logan Franek leads the defense with 261 digs and a 4.14 dig per set average. Kathleen Kasel and Taylor Ferrel work next to Franek, as they are the leading blockers with 41 and 38 total blocks, respectively.
Black Hills State enters the weekend 8-11 overall and 5-5 in RMAC action.
Ellise Lech and
Sierra Stugelmeyer lead the Yellow Jacket offense with 174 and 173 kills, respectively.
Kenzie Kazmer is right behind them with 162 kills. Kazmer and Stugelmeyer average 2.28 kills per set, while Lech averages 2.26.
Laurel Lech has notched 691 assists for the offense, with an 8.97 assist per set average.
On defense,
Sydney Ederhoff owns 338 digs with a 4.39 dig per set average, in 19 matches.
Cheyenne Palu works alongside Ederhoff, as Palu has blocked 90 shots and averages 1.17 blocks per set.
Following the weekend, the Green and Gold return home for a five-game home stand starting with a Make-A-Wish match on Friday, October 27, and Breast Cancer Awareness match on Saturday, October 28. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
