GUNNISON, Colo. – The #8-ranked Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team was pushed to the limit on Thursday night, but escaped Gunnison, Colo., with a five-set win over Western Colorado.
 
Amanda Donais proved key in the victory with a 15-kill, 19-dig double-double. She also added three blocks. Taylor Hicken had 15 kills as well along with seven blocks, three digs and two service aces. Rose Stuewe's seven kills made a trio of Orediggers in double digits. On defense, Elle Duis pounded out 28 digs, and April Jergensen added 12 digs of her own. Also notable was six blocks, six kills and three digs from Julia Eiken. Team coordinator Drew Stokes wrapped up the match with 54 assists, eight digs, four kills, and three blocks. Stokes also led all players by hitting .444 in the match.
 
Mines (4-1, 4-1 RMAC) narrowly outhit Western Colorado (1-2, 1-2 RMAC) by a margin of .180-.110. As a five-set result would infer, most statistical categories proved mostly even between the Orediggers and WCU. However, Mines found its advantage by knocking down 67 kills compared to 56 from the Mountaineers while claiming a 94-84 advantage in digs. The serving game proved even at 5-5 in aces while Western out-blocked its guests, 15-13. Mines' third straight win keeps it ranked #3 in the RMAC standings.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Only three days of rest plus more than three hours of driving forced the Orediggers to bend, but Mines would not break. Thursday's visitors stepped onto the court in the "Highest Collegiate Gymnasium in the World" and made a statement with Hicken hammering down the opening kill of the opening set. It was the first of seven, first-set kills for Hicken that spurred a 25-14 win in game on. The overarching feeling was that Mines would cruise to victory.
 
However, letting the Orediggers cruise to victory was not part of Western Colorado's game plan. The home team raised ruckus in game two and pushed the frame into extra points before Mines claimed a 29-27 win, and a two-set lead in the match. The visitor's win in set two was sparked by four kills from Stuewe who hit .429, 12 assists courtesy of Stokes and 10 digs from Duis. The Mountaineers' response was back-to-back wins in game three and game four to force a decisive fifth set.
 
The final frame played out like the rest of the match. Action was back-and-forth and neither team claimed clear control. As the game soared into extra rallies, the Orediggers found themselves facing match point on four different occasions. A kill from Stokes saved Mines at 15-16. Lindsey Jin preserved the win with kills at 17-18 and 19-20. Rose Stuewe handed out the final save at 20-21, and Donais finished it off a set from Stokes for a 23-21 win and five-set victory for the visitors.  
 
NOTABLES
- Mines has won six straight matches against Western Colorado.
- The Orediggers and Mountaineers have not gone to five sets since Oct. 6, 2007 – over 13 years ago.
- Mines is now 33-36 in the all-time series with WCU.
- Donais now has 12 double-doubles in her career after matching her single-match, career high in kills on Thursday night.
- Eiken and Hicken both matched their single-match, career bests in blocks with six and seven, respectively.
- Head coach Jamie Magalei is 285-95 in her 13th season at Mines.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers head to Spearfish, S.D., next weekend for a RMAC pod against host Black Hills State and fellow visitor UCCS. No spectators are expected. However, live stats and video will be available for free at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can follow the Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team on Twitter at @MinesVolleyball and on Instagram at @Mines_Volleyball. Fans can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.