LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Halloween dealt the Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team a haunting loss as the Orediggers fell in straight sets at Colorado Christian to open the 2024 RMAC Power Pod.
 
Hannah Kinnison, Hope Storm, and Olivia Murillo were the statistical leaders for Mines (7-14). Kinnison accumulated 10 kills. Storm had 26 assists, 11 digs, four blocks, and two kills. From the back row, Murillo provided 14 digs. Also notable were Allison Jansen's three total blocks and Morgan McChesney's three kills on .375 hitting. Colorado Christian (13-8) finished the match hitting well over .250 compared to a .146 mark by the Orediggers. Seven blocks by Mines marked the only statistical advantage for the visitors. The Cougars were led by Suzanna Conner and Shelby Hernandez who recorded 11 kills and 15 digs, respectively.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first set featured five kills off the hand of Jansen, four Kills by Kate Kudlac, and six digs thanks to Storm. Jansen and Storm teamed up for three blocks as well. Mines even went on a 4-1 run late in the set to eventually force extra points. But Colorado Christian prevailed in a 26-24 win. Game two saw Taylor Helms knock down four kills with a .667 attack percentage. Storm tallied 10 assists and another block as well. Those efforts helped the Orediggers rally back from a 21-14 deficit. It wasn't enough. Once again, CCU protected its home court with a 25-21 win. Kinnison's five kills and Murillo's seven digs in the third frame did little to slow the Cougars. Colorado Christian completed the sweep with a 25-17 win.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines still leads the all-time series with Colorado Christian, 43-27.
- Storm recorded a career high in four different categories on Thursday including service aces and total blocks.
- Ava Swan tallied the first service ace of her collegiate career against CCU.
- Head Coach Jamie Magalei is now 361-136 in her 17th season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines closes the 2024 RMAC Power Pod on Friday, facing Westminster in Lakewood, Colo., at 7 p.m. Free live stats and video will be available at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines volleyball on "X" (formerly Twitter) at @minesvolleyball and on Instagram at @mines.volleyball. They can also follow all of Mines Athletics year around on Facebook, "X", and Instagram at @MinesAthletics.