GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team dropped a three-set match to #18-ranked Regis on Saturday night inside Lockridge Arena.
 
The loss came despite Abby Tiesman leading all players with 12 kills. She also hit .370 on the attack and added two service aces, two blocks, one assist and one dig. Megan Neil was right behind her teammate with 11 kills on the night as well as one block. Neil converted her attacks at a clip of .308. Mines' other bright spots were Elle Duis and Amanda Donais in the back row. Elle Duis racked up 18 digs and Donais chipped in 13 of her own. Drew Stokes tied the match high thanks to 36 assists. She also knocked down two service aces, put up two blocks and ground out four digs.
 
The Orediggers (8-2, 1-1 RMAC) outperformed Regis (8-2, 2-0 RMAC) in digs, 57-53 and matched the Rangers in assists and kills. However, the overall difference proved to be efficiency as proven by Regis's .244 hitting percentage compared to Mines' .167. That came as the result of seven total blocks by the visitors. The Orediggers do remain within one game of first place in the RMAC standings.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Extra points, 10 ties and six lead changes were all part of a knockdown, drag-out battle in the opening set early Saturday evening between Colorado School of Mines and #18 Regis. The Rangers jumped out to a 5-1 lead, but a Neil kill and Tiesman ace sparked a 4-1 run to pull the Orediggers within one point. However, Regis extended its advantage back to 12-7 before Mines caught fire. Back-to-back kills by Donais set off a 5-0 run by the Orediggers to tie the set at 12-12. In the last half of game one, neither team led by more than three points with both sides exchanging rallies. Lindsey Jin and Tiesman teamed up for a block which put Mines on top 25-24, but Regis rallied with three unanswered points to take a 27-25 win and the 1-0 lead.
 
Unfortunately for Mines, that would be the closest set of the night, but it was not for lack of trying. Tiesman and Elle Duis attempted to put the team on their backs in game two as Tiesman knocked down seven kills with no errors on 11 attempts, and Elle Duis piled up seven digs – two more than any other player on the court. The duo's effort fell short in a 25-17 loss, putting Regis ahead, 2-0. The final set proved similar with Elle Duis adding seven more digs which was three more than any other player on the court. Donais led on four kills, but a .159 hitting percentage would not be enough. The Rangers would clinch the match with a 25-22 win.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines still possesses a 13-5 advantage in the series against Regis dating back to 2012.
- Saturday was Regis's first win over the Orediggers in almost two years, the last coming Dec. 1, 2017.
- Tiesman now has double-digit kills in seven straight matches. She is up to 134 kills on the season at a clip surpassing 4.00 kills per set.
- Tiesman's 12 kills also put the senior over 900 for her career.
- Megan Neil notched the first solo block of her career on Saturday night against Regis. She now has 15 total blocks in less than two seasons at Mines.
- Donais officially surpassed 300 career digs and now has exactly 300 kills in her career after Saturday night's match against Regis.
- Mines is now 99-12 in RMAC play dating back to 2012.
- Head coach Jamie Magalei is 264-89 in 12 seasons at Mines.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers continue RMAC play on the road next Friday and Saturday at Fort Lewis and Adams State. Live stats and video of both matches 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.