GOLDEN, Colo. – True freshman Rose Stuewe had a career night for the Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team as the Orediggers swept past CSU-Pueblo inside Volk Gymnasium. 
 
Stuewe led all players with 13 kills and also hit .571 on the match – both career highs for the freshman from Texas. She added two blocks which matched her personal best and notched two digs as well. Amanda Donais joined in the double-digit kill club thanks 10 on 18 attempts and no errors. Taylor Hicken hit .583 and added nine kills of her own. Elle Duis held down the back row with 11 digs. Drew Stokes coordinated at setter by pumping out 41 assists while adding three blocks, five digs and one service ace.
 
Mines (14-4, 7-3 RMAC) hit .418 as a team and held CSU-Pueblo (7-11, 5-5 RMAC) to .135 on the attack. The Orediggers dominated every statistical category except for service aces where the ThunderWolves recorded six compared to Mines' four. With the win, the Orediggers take sole possession of fourth place in the RMAC standings. The loss drops CSU-Pueblo down to #9.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
With sharp, fall winds gusting outdoors, the close-knit confines of historic Volk Gymnasium provided warmth for fans from both teams Friday evening and the first set only added to the heat. In fact, the opening game was the toughest of the night, featuring seven ties and two lead changes. Mines worked itself out to a 18-11 lead before the visitors rallied back within one point, 22-21. However, Stuewe, Abby Tiesman and Lindsey Jin knocked down three straight kills off sets from Stokes to clinch the 25-21 victory.
 
That 1-0 lead in the match rolled right into a dominant Orediggers' performance in round two. Mines never trailed and claimed a 25-15, set-two win. The surge was led by Donais and Hicken who combined for 10 kills on 13 attempts without an error. As a team, the Orediggers hit .552 in the second frame and notched two blocks to hold CSU-Pueblo to .148 on the attack.
 
In the final set, the home team overcame four ties and three lead changes thanks to six kills by none other than Stuewe. Four digs in the third game came courtesy of Elle Duis while Stuewe, Donais, Tiesman, Hicken and Jin teamed up for a total of 3.0 blocks. That defense held the ThunderWolves to a hitting percentage of .088 as Mines clinched the sweep by a score of 25-19. It should be noted that Stuewe provided the kill on the 25th point for her 13th of the night.  
 
NOTABLES
- Mines is now 28-34 in the all-time series against CSU-Pueblo but boasts a 10-game winning streak over the ThunderWolves dating back to 2012.
- Stuewe's previous career high was 11 kills while hitting .348 against Emporia State earlier this season.
- Additionally, Stuewe has put up two blocks in four different matches as a true freshman, putting her at 11 in 2019.
- The Orediggers' .418 hitting percentage is their best offensive performance since Oct. 1 of this season when it hit .431 against UCCS.
- The Orediggers are now 105-14 in RMAC play dating back to 2012.
- Head coach Jamie Magalei is 270-91 in 12 seasons at Mines.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers continue their Homecoming Weekend on Saturday against New Mexico Highlands at 5 p.m. inside Volk Gym. Live stats and video 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.