#18 Mines at Western State, Friday, 7 p.m. [Live Stats] [Video]
#18 Mines at Colorado Mesa, Saturday, 4 p.m. [Live Stats] [Video]

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The competition really ratchets up this weekend as #18 Mines (14-3, 8-0) heads to Western State and Colorado Mesa in a massive RMAC weekend.

QUICK LOOK BACK
The Orediggers continued their program-record best start (8-0) in RMAC play with sweeps of Fort Lewis and Adams State last weekend. Leading the way was Alanna Winfield and LaRose Currie who each averaged at least four kills per set. Taryn Huber was above her season average with a 5.67 d/s. The lone blemish last week with a midweek, non-conference loss at Regis. 

IN THE POLLS
The midweek loss to Regis did show up in the national rankings as Mines fell back two spots to #18 in the latest AVCA poll. The Orediggers are securely in 18th with 334 points which is 40 more than #19 Cal State San Bernardino. RMAC rival MSU Denver finally moved into the rankings for the first time this season at #25. 

IN THE RMAC STATS
Mines continued its reign as the top offensive club in the RMAC as they are first in hitting percentage (.250), and third in kills (14.00), assists (13.03) and aces (1.47) per set in the league. They are also tied for second in the RMAC with 2.13 blocks per frame. Conversely, they hold teams to .161 hitting (fifth), 11.29 k/s (third) and only allow 0.71 aces per game – a league-best statistic. They are also second-best in the conference at avoiding opponent's blocks  (1.58 b/s).

RECORD WITHIN SIGHT
Alanna Winfield is on the cusp of becoming the program's new all-time career leader in kills this weekend. The Houston native heads into the weekend with 1,499 career kills which is only 18 away from breaking Jackie Stabell's (2009-12) record of 1,516. In addition, Winfield is currently third in the RMAC with 3.93 k/s average which is a career-high.

TARYN' IT UP
Taryn Huber has really taken her game to a new level this season. Huber is averaging a career-high 5.36 digs per frame for a total of 316 in 59 sets played. She put up double-digit digs in 16-of-17 matches and has seven 20-plus digs outing which includes a season-high 32 against West Florida. Huber has 1,626 career digs which is third most in program history. 

BREAKOUT SEASON
After playing in a reserve role a season ago, junior LaRose Currie has really taken off this year. The Minturn native averages 2.20 k/s and 2.29 d/s. She also leads the team with 19 aces for a 0.32 average. Currently, Currie is on a bit of hot streak as she is averaging 3.5 k/s and 2.6 d/s over her last three matches with three straight double-digit kill outings.

SERIES RECORD
Mines heads into Gunnison this weekend looking to take over the all-time lead in the series as they are currently tied 15-15 all-time with Western State. The Orediggers trail in the all-time series with Colorado Mesa with the Mavericks holding a 19-13 edge. Mines did defeat CMU twice last season including in the RMAC Tournament Championship tilt. 

SCOUTING WESTERN STATE
Western State comes into the weekend with exactly a .500 record –  overall (8-8) and RMAC (4-4). That also bears out in the statistical rankings where they sit between sixth and ninth and nearly every category. The Mountaineers feature a three-headed attack of Tori Gaherty (3.38), Jordan Eatwell (2.67) and Molly Hothan (2.52) who each average over 2.5 k/s.

SCOUTING COLORADO MESA
Colorado Mesa currently sits only one game back of Mines as they have a 7-1 RMAC record and a 13-3 overall record. The Mavericks are the RMAC's best defensive team as they hold opponents to .143 hitting, 10.73 k/s, 10.03 a/s, 13.30 d/s and only 0.73 aces per game. Leading that defensive effort is libero Taylor Woods who averages 4.85 d/s. Mackenzie Edwards is the catalyst on offense with her conference second-best 4.00 k/s.