SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University volleyball team opens Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action in Colorado against Fort Lewis and Adams State on Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Fort Lewis owns a 5-3 record to start the season and is picked to tie for 12^th with Westminster.

Bailey Longacre leads the Skyhawks on offense with 68 kills and a 2.52 per set average. Longacre has played in all eight matches, making six starts. Alongside Longacre, Kendra Swackenberg has notched 242 assists on the season, with an 8.96 per set average.

On the defense, Megan Graefe leads with 125 digs and a 4.63 per set average. Longacre works on defense at the net as well, leading with 29 blocks and a 1.07 per set average.

Adams State holds a 4-5 record on the season and is slated to finish seventh in the conference. Mallory Grimsrud was named to the Preseason All-Conference team.

Grimsrud leads the team in offense and has played in all nine matches for the Grizzlies. In 34 sets played, Grimsrud has notched 112 kills with a 3.29 per set average and a .317 hitting percentage. Katelyn Schwartz works alongside Grimsrud on offense and has tallied 277 assists with a 9.89 per set average.

On defense, Gabrielle Timmen leads with 143 digs and a 4.09 per set average. Grimsrud helps Timmen, leading all blockers with 36 total blocks and a 1.06 per set average.

Black Hills State owns a 3-5 record heading into conference play.

Sierra Stugelmeyer and Cheyenne Palu lead the offense with 69 kills each and a 2.03 per set average. Palu leads with a .291 hitting percentage. Laurel Lech works alongside Palu and Stugelmeyer. Lech has notched 290 assists, with an 8.53 per set average.

Sydney Ederhoff leads the defense with 149 digs registered and a 4.38 per set average. Ederhoff also owns seven service aces for the Green and Gold. Palu has recorded 40 total blocks on the season with a 1.18 per set average.

Following the weekend, Black Hills State returns to the Donald E. Young Center to host Colorado State University- Pueblo and New Mexico Highlands in its 2017 home opener on Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.