GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team opened its season in dominant fashion Friday, defeating Davenport (3-0) and Cal State East Bay (3-1) inside Lockridge Arena as it started its season 2-0 for a fifth straight year.
 
Junior middle Abby Tiesman was dominant on offense and defense for the Orediggers (2-0) with a combined 28 kills, 18 digs and four blocks over the two matches. Her presence at the net on defense and a .381 attacking percentage on offense capped an efficient day for the 2017 honorable mention all-American. Sophomore Lindsey Jin was also a force to be reckoned with as she recorded a team-high 31 kills including 19 against Cal State East Bay.
 
True freshman Amanda Donais highlighted a slew of outstanding performances from Mines' fresh faces. The Californian made her Oredigger debut with a total of 25 kills and 29 digs while swinging .358 on the attack. Donais posted her breakout performance against Cal State East Bay with 14 kills and 20 digs. Fellow true freshman Drew Stokes was also outstanding in her debut, dishing out 100 assists over seven sets of action.
 
As a team, the Orediggers outhit Davenport (0-2) and Cal State East Bay (1-1) as they finished the day attacking .304. Mines also combined for eight blocks and nine service aces as a team.
 
Match One – Mines 3, Davenport 0
The Orediggers jumped ahead of the Panthers early thanks to a match-opening kill from Janice Jin and a service ace from Amanda Donais. However, Davenport responded with a 4-1 run to take a 4-3 lead.
 
Both teams went back and forth as the game was tied six times up to 11-11. Tiesman sparked a 4-0 run that gave Mines a 14-11 cushion, and the Orediggers never looked back as they cruised to a 25-19 first-set victory.
 
Set two was all Mines as the home team hit .364 while holding Davenport to just 16 points on a .105 attacking percentage. The final game was much of the same with the Orediggers jumping ahead 8-2. The Panthers rallied back to pull within two at 20-18, but it was too little too late.
 
Match Two – Mines 3, Cal State East Bay 1
In the second match of the day, it was the visitors taking an early lead as the Pioneers did not trail thru the first 28 points of action. It was a 5-1 run from 12-14 to 16-15 that gave the Orediggers their first lead in the opening set. Mines would never surrender that lead as they scrapped their way to a 25-23, first-set win.
 
The Orediggers defied percentage laws in the second set as they claimed a 25-22 victory despite hitting .189 to the Pioneers' .414. However, Cal State East Bay struck back in the third game with a 25-22 win to extend the match. Mines responded in the final set with a 15-2 run to claim victory and a 2-0 start to the season.
 
NOTABLES
- Over the last half decade, Mines has dropped just four sets on opening day while going 10-0.
- Six freshman made their debut for the Orediggers in Friday's matches.
- The true freshman combined for 58 kills and 84 digs.
- Stokes' 58 assists against Cal State East Bay came three shy of cracking Mines' single-match top 10.
- Donais and Tiesman both recorded double-doubles against Cal State East Bay.
- Head Coach Jamie Magalei is 234-81 in 11 seasons at Mines.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines closes the 2018 Oredigger Classic Saturday with matches against Lee (10 a.m.) and Sioux Falls (4 p.m.). Live stats and video will be available at MinesAthletics.com.
 
Keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.