#7 Mines (16-2, 9-1 RMAC) at Chadron State (4-13, 2-8 RMAC) – Tuesday, 6 p.m. – Chadron, Neb. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]
#7 Mines (16-2, 9-1 RMAC) at Regis (14-4, 9-1 RMAC) – Saturday, 3 p.m. – Denver, Colo. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]

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ROAD WARRIORS
The #7-ranked Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team continues its second four-match road trip of the season this week as they head to Chadron State and Regis. The showdown in Nebraska is a rare midweek match for the Orediggers, taking place Tuesday night at 6 p.m. Mines' rematch with Regis is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. in Denver. Wins on the road are always tough, and the Orediggers will look to quickly rebound from its five-set loss to now #1 MSU Denver on Saturday.
 
FAN INFORMATION
Campus policy at Chadron State does not require fully vaccinated spectators to wear masks inside. However, face coverings continue to be strongly recommended and encourage for those who are not fully vaccinated. Regis campus policy states that all spectators wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
The RMAC Network has relaunched for 2021-22, and fans used to watching on their smart TV or other device must download the new app by searching "RMAC" in your device's app store. The new watch portal is available online at www.minesathletics.com/tv or www.rmacnetwork.com. All Mines home matches will stream live and for free on the RMAC Network this fall.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Mines' most recent action was this past Friday and Saturday. The Orediggers swept Colorado Christian in Lakewood on Friday. Saturday featured a nationally-ranked showdown at then #2 MSU Denver. The match lived up to the billing as Mines rallied back from a 0-2 deficit to force a decisive fifth set. Even when the Ordiggers fell behind 7-1 in that frame, they surged back within one point at 10-9. However, Mines eventually fell to the Roadrunners which propelled MSU Denver from #2 to #1 in the nation.
 
SCOUTING CHADRON STATE
Chadron State rolls into the week fresh off back-to-back, 3-0 losses at MSU Denver and Colorado Christian. While the Eagles' record reads 4-13 overall and 2-8 in the RMAC, they sit an even .500 when playing at home which they've only done four times this season. Chadron State earned half its wins on opening weekend with sweeps of Minnesota-Crookston and Fort Hays State in Pueblo, Colo. The Eagles also earned conference wins with five-set victories over Black Hills State and Adams State in Chadron. Olivia Moten-Schell serves CSC's top hitter thanks to 135 kills in 63 sets. Aiyana Fujiyama is the most efficient on the attack with 102 kills on .262 hitting. Audrey Bennett and Devyn Volz split the setting duties and average a combined 7.68 assists per set. Rylee Greiman anchors the back row to the tune of 244 digs through 64 sets. Additionally, Fujiyama boasts 54 blocks.
 
SCOUTING REGIS
Historically a perennial powerhouse in the conference, Regis started the season 5-4 overall and 0-1 in conference which included a four-set loss at Mines. Since that time, the Rangers have run off nine straight wins and sit tied for second in the RMAC standings. They're also receiving votes in the national poll after falling out of the top-25 early in the season. Regis' nine-match run includes six sweeps, two four-setters and one five-set thriller at Black Hills State. Individuals who have fueled RU's streak include Caitlyn Burroway, Nadine Burbink, Mara LeGrand and Haley Kennedy. Burroway boasts over 200 kills. Burbink has 121 kills while hitting .240. She also touts 68 blocks in 62 sets. LeGrand is one of the top setters in the conference thanks to 690 assists. Haley Kennedy owns 259 digs and 29 service aces.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Mines and Chadron State have faced off on the volleyball court 66 times since the Orediggers started their program in 1976. The rivalry with Regis features 75 installments and is the second-longest in Mines' history. The Orediggers are 42-24 against CSC while sitting at 26-48-1 when playing the Rangers. Mines last played the Eagles on March 7, 2021, in a RMAC pod hosted inside Lockridge Arena. The Orediggers won that match in straight sets. In fact, Mines touts 22 consecutive wins over Chadron State including seven straight sweeps. The Orediggers haven't lost to the Eagles since Nov. 20, 2007, in Golden. In total, Mines' run against CSC includes 17 victories in straight sets. As previously stated, the Orediggers and Rangers already played once this season and Mines found victory in four sets. Mines is 4-6 in its last 10 meetings with RU. The lone tie in the rivalry came in the first meeting in 1977.
 
MAGALEI VS. THE OPPOSITION
Mines Head Coach Jamie Magalei owns a combined record of 42-12 against this week's opposition. Magalei took the helm in 2008 and has never lost to Chadron State. In total, Magalei's teams have never dropped more than one set to the Eagles and have lost only five total sets overall. Her win over Regis earlier this season pushed the North Dakota native to 20-12 against the Rangers. That mark includes a seven-match win streak running from 2013-15 which turned into a 9-1 record dating into 2016. Magalei has never faced CSC in the postseason, but has played Regis six times in the postseason which has resulted in a 2-4 record.
 
HELLUVA OFFENSE
Despite the five-set loss to MSU Denver on Saturday, Mines continues to be one of the top offenses in all of NCAA Division II. As a team, the Orediggers rank #1 in hitting percentage, #4 in kills per set, #5 in assists per set and #7 in winning percentage. Individually, Drew Stokes is #1 in the nation in assists per set and #19 in total assists. Taylor Hicken is #2 in the nation in hitting percentage. Mines has hit over .300 as a team in 13 of the 18 matches this fall. Hicken boasts double-digit kills in 14 of the 18 contests with a hitting percentage of .400, or better, in 13 of the 18. Stokes touts three double-doubles and more than 40 assists on 11 different occasions.
 
AROUND THE RMAC
Now over half way through the season, the RMAC standings still lack much clarity. While MSU Denver made itself the clear-cut favorite to win the league, four other teams boast records of 8-2, or better. Mines is tied with Regis at 9-1. CSU Pueblo and Colorado Mesa are tied at 8-2. Those five teams represent the likely top four seeds in the RMAC Tournament. On the bottom half of the bracket, Colorado Christian is all alone at 5-5. However, Western Colorado Adams State and Fort Lewis are currently fighting for the last two tournament berths at 4-6. Adding more blur to the scene are South Dakota Mines and New Mexico Highlands both one game out at 3-7. In summary, there's still eight matches left to play and anything can happen.
 
IN THE RANKINGS
The seventh edition of the AVCA Division Top 25 came out on Monday afternoon and Mines appeared at #7 in the poll. It marked a one-slot drop after falling to previously #2 MSU Denver. While the Roadrunners took over #1, Washburn fell to #2 after a five-set loss to then #9 Northwest Missouri State which vaulted the Bearcats to #6. Central Missouri, Angelo State and Concordia-St. Paul rounded out the top five in that order. No other RMAC teams appeared in the top-25, but undefeated UT Tyler jumped to #15 and West Texas A&M took over #25, giving the South Central Region five teams in the national rankings. Regis and Colorado Mesa were barely on the outside looking in with 41 votes and 39 votes, respectively.
 
FUN FACT OF THE WEEK
Mines officially started its varsity volleyball program in 1976. The Orediggers joined the NCAA in 1992. Meanwhile the American Volleyball Coaches' Association started producing their DI national rankings in 1982 and the DII national list in 1986.  Mines debut in the national rankings came on Oct. 10, 2011, at #24 in the nation. Since that emergence, the Orediggers have been ranked 116 times including a run from 2012-18 in which they appeared in 83 consecutive polls. Mines' highest preseason ranking came when it started the fall ranked #8 in the nation. The Orediggers' best final ranking was #9 last spring during the adjusted 2020-21 campaign. Mines' best-ever ranking at any point including preseason and final polls was #4 during the 2014 regular season. The Orediggers currently boast a streak of 23 consecutive weeks on the national list which dates back to the final poll of 2019. During the active run, Mines has risen as high as #5 on March, 17, 2021.
 
UP NEXT
Following this week's road trips, Mines returns to Golden for a four-match home stand starting on Friday, Oct. 29, against CSU Pueblo. Tickets can be purchased online at www.minesathletics.com/tickets or at the door. Live stats and video on the RMAC Network will be offered for each match 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.