SALT LAKE CITY – The Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team found its way back to the winning track Friday night thanks to a four-set victory inside Behnken Field House.
 
Amanda Donais led the Orediggers in the box score thanks to a team-high 13 kills while adding 11 digs for a double-double. Drew Stokes joined the double-double party courtesy of 47 assists and 13 digs. Taylor Hicken, Abby Tiesman and Lindsey Jin made it a quartet with double-digit kills, combining for 34 on the night. Specifically, Tiesman's 12 kills put the senior over 1,000 for her career. On defense, it was Elle Duis stealing the show as she jacked up 28 digs over four sets.
 
With the victory, Mines (13-3, 6-2 RMAC) returned to its winning ways after out-hitting Westminster (3-13, 2-6 RMAC) by a margin of .300-.160. Notably, the Griffins did out-block the Orediggers 6-2, but it would not be enough for WC to avoid wearing its fourth consecutive loss. Mines now sits in a tie for #3 in the RMAC standings, matched evenly with Dixie State which it will face on Saturday evening.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Despite four ties and three lead changes, Mines took the opening set in dominant fashion by a score of 25-10. The trio of Hicken, Neil and Donais led the charge with four kills each as the Orediggers hit at a pace of .371 while holding Westminster under .100 under the attack. However, the tables turned in set two as the Griffins hit .367 and limited Mines to .250 as the home team evened the match 1-1 thanks to its 25-19 win heading into intermission.
 
The Orediggers came out of the break refocused and would not drop a set the rest of the way. A 25-22 decision in the fourth frame came thanks to six kills off the hand of Tiesman and seven digs courtesy of Elle Duis. Mines clinched the match with a 25-15 win in the fourth game. Tiesman and Jin put up four kills each while holding Westminster to .021 on the attack.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines is now 4-0 in the all-time series against Westminster.
- Tiesman now has double-digit kills in 13 straight matches, and becomes the ninth Oredigger with 1,000 kills in her career.
- Stokes now has three consecutive double-doubles and 11 in her career while moving over 300-career digs.
- Additionally, Stokes moved into sixth place on Mines' all-time assists list with 2,060 in her career.
- Donais's double-double marks her first of the season and eighth of her career.
- Duis's 28 digs came one short of matching her career high.
- Head coach Jamie Magalei is 265-89 in 12 seasons at Mines.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers continue their action on the road Saturday at 3 p.m. against Dixie State. Live coverage of the match will be available at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics. Fans can also follow Mines Volleyball on Twitter using the handle @MinesVolleyball.