How It Happened
Back to the RMAC Tournament Championship! #23 Colorado School of Mines had four players in double-digits in kills as they defeated UCCS 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 25-21) in the semifinals of the RMAC Tournament at MSU Denver.

Ellie Monarch had 19 kills on .395 hitting to send Mines (23-6) back to the RMAC Tournament Final for the second consecutive year. Janice Jin (15), LaRose Currie (13) and Alanna Winfield (11) also reached double-digit kills against the Mountain Lions (16-10). 

The opening frame saw the Orediggers carry a one-to-two point lead throughout, but were finally able to gain a four-point separation (22-18) on kills by Alanna Winfield and Hailey Babcock and an ace from LaRose Currie. UCCS got back as close as 24-23, but Janice Jin slammed the door when she drilled the 25th-point down with authority. 

Set #2 was very different for Mines as they fell behind very early, and it appeared as though the Mountain Lions were going to take the frame easily when they got up by as much as 17-12. The Orediggers preserved though and dug deep to finally tie the game at 21 apiece. 

Down 22-21, Ellie Monarch made sure Mines would go up two sets-to-none as she threw down four straight kills in succession to close out the frame.

The Orediggers once again put themselves in a hole as they trailed by as much as eight (13-5) before rallying back to get back within two, 22-20, in the third frame. Unfortunately, the deficit was too large this time as the Mountain Lions eked out a 25-21 win.

Mines got off to a much better start in the fourth set as they never trailed by more than one at any point in the game. Tied at 17-17, the Orediggers rattled off three straight points, two of which were kills by Monarch and Winfield, to pull out to a lead they would never relinquish. 

Notables
-    Janice Jin had a team second-best 15 kills, but more importantly she did it on a gaudy .407 hitting. 
-    Marina Hansen posted the second-most assists in a game in her career with tonight's 57. She just missed a double-double with eight digs.
-    Speaking of a double-double, LaRose Currie posted her ninth overall and third straight with 13 kills and 18 digs.
-    Alanna Winfield was strong at the net tonight as she had four blocks; three of which were solo.
-    Taryn Huber led the way with 23 digs.

Up Next
Mines will play a crosstown rival in the RMAC Championship – they just don't know who yet. MSU Denver and Regis are playing in the second semifinal later tonight.