SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University volleyball team heads back out on the road again to play nationally ranked Colorado School of Mines and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. The Yellow Jackets will take on the Orediggers on October 4 at 7 p.m., before playing the Mountain Lions at 5 p.m. on October 5.

Scouting the #23 Orediggers (11-2, 4-1 RMAC)

Colorado School of Mines, located in Golden, Colorado, is riding a three-game winning streak. Most recently, the Orediggers sweept UCCS, 3-0. Their two losses this season have both come against ranked teams (#8 Northern State and #18 Regis).

Abby Tiesman leads the Orediggers in kills, averaging 4.14 per set and totaling 174 while hitting .425. She also has 12 service aces, which is tied for the team lead, and 50 blocks, which leads the squad. Drew Stokes, who has won RMAC Setter of the Week three times already this year, has 553 total assists, averaging 13.17 per set (first in nation). She also has 12 aces, 24 blocks, and 70 digs. Elle Duis leads defensively with 176 total digs, good for 4.19 per set.

Scouting the Mountain Lions (5-8, 3-2 RMAC)

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs enters the weekend 3-1 in its last four games, most recently getting swept by Colorado School of Mines.

Taylor Smith leads the squad with 126 total kills. The Mountain Lions are led defensively by Jordyn Kinsey, who has 200 digs, averaging 4.08 per set. Lauren Brown has 36 blocks, while Emily Ettel averages 8.22 assists per set (370 total).

Scouting the Yellow Jackets (5-7, 3-1 RMAC)

Black Hills State is currently riding a three game winning streak, most recently defeating CSU-Pueblo (3-1) and New Mexico Highlands (3-2) in the first home weekend of the season. Senior Laurel Lech recorded her first career triple-double in Friday's win over the Thunderwolves. The Yellow Jackets are now 2-1 in five set matches.  

Madee Hoopman leads the Yellow Jackets in kills, averaging 2.61 per set with a total of 120. Laurel Lech has recorded 253 assists, 137 digs, and 74 kills this season, while Tess Thomas has totaled 167 assists. Haedyn Rhoades leads defensively with 213 digs and her 4.53 digs per set is seventh in the RMAC, while Peyton Bodemann leads the squad with 35 blocks.

Next Up

Following this weekend's matches, the Yellow Jackets come home to host South Dakota School of Mines on Tuesday, October 8. The match will begin at 7 p.m.  

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Black Hills State is located in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota, sponsoring 13 NCAA sports with membership in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the NCAA emerging sport of women's triathlon and NIRA rodeo. For all information regarding Yellow Jacket Athletics, please visit BHSUAthletics.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @BHSUAthletics.

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