GUNNISON, Colo. – The #8-ranked Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team swept Western Colorado on Friday night for the Orediggers' ninth straight victory and a 5-0 mark in RMAC play.
 
Lindsey Jin and Megan Neil were Mines' key hitters. Jin led all players with 12 kills and converted at a .400 clip. Neil was right behind with 11 kills and a .458 hitting percentage. Elle Duis and April Jergensen were big in the back row. Duis produced 15 digs, two service aces and two assists. Jergensen pumped out 10 digs and one service ace as well. Julia Eiken proved impressive with five total blocks. Drew Stokes' resume included 33 assists, three kills, three blocks, three digs and one service ace.
 
With the win, Mines (12-1, 5-0 RMAC) extended its win streak to nine consecutive victories. The Orediggers earned the sweep behind a .354 average on the attack and solid defense. That defense limited Western Colorado to 20 kills with 20 errors for a .000 hitting percentage. Mines out-blocked the Mountaineers by an 8-1 margin and also came up with five more service aces.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
By the end of the first set, Mines was hitting over .500 as a team with four different Orediggers touting three kills apiece. The 25-7 win in the opening set gave way to a 25-14 victory in game two. At that point, Jin was up to nine kills and Duis had racked up 14 digs for an early, 7.0 digs-per-set average. The home team's last gasp came early in the final frame as Western Colorado charged out to a 4-1 lead. However, the Orediggers' 15-3 run quickly erased the lead and sent the visitors to a convincing, 25-16, match-clinching win.
 
 
NOTABLES
- Mines improved to 35-36-1 in the all-time series against Western Colorado.
- The Orediggers have defeated the Mountaineers in eight straight meetings with only two sets lost since 2017.
- Head Coach Jamie Magalei moved her career record against WCU to 16-1.
- Over the last two matches, Jin touts 25 combined kills and a .600 hitting percentage.
- With Friday's win, the Orediggers are off to their best start to a season – ever. Their previous best start was 11-2 in 2014.
- Jergensen's 10 digs at Western Colorado put her over 600 for her career.
- Head Coach Jamie Magalei is now 304-99 in her career at Mines.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers face Fort Lewis on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Durango, Colo. Live stats and video on the RMAC network will be offered at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines volleyball on Twitter at @MinesVolleyball and on Instagram at @mines.volleyball. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.