GOLDEN, Colo. – A strong first set was not enough for the Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team on Saturday evening at Lockridge Arena. The Orediggers dropped a four-set, non-conference decision to Colorado Christian, closing out the 2024 RMAC Regional Pod.
 
The statistical highlight for Mines (5-9) came from Olivia Murillo's 14 digs. Hannah Kinnison and Morgan McChesney produced eight kills apiece. Kinnison also added 12 digs of her own. At the net, Kate Kudlac and Jenna McLaughlin each turned in three total blocks. The digs and blocks helped hold Colorado Christian (9-5) under a .300 attack percentage. Unfortunately for the Orediggers, they hit just .126 and gave up 13 service aces to the Cougars. The visitor's production from the line offset 10 service errors. Mines committed just two service errors.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Nine ties and five lead changes told the story of a hard-fought opening frame. The Orediggers staved off a CCU comeback and earned a 25-23 win for a 1-0 lead in the match. Balanced production on the attack was augmented by 13 combined digs from Kinnison and Murillo. The second set featured seven aces from Colorado Christian, putting Mines in a 12-3 deficit to start and eventually holding off an Oredigger comeback. Even so, Murillo produced five more digs in the 25-17 loss. Attack percentages of .424 and .419 fueled CCU in the third and fourth games, giving the visitors advantages of 25-14 and 25-17 on the way to the match victory.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines still leads the all-time series against Colorado Christian by a 43-26 margin.
- Only one of the last five meetings between the Orediggers and Cougars has ended in straight sets.
- Kudlac's three total blocks matched her career high for the third time after notching a trio of stuffs earlier this season against Biola, Augustana, and MSU Denver. Two of the three were solo blocks.
- Murillo tied her collegiate best with 14 digs against CCU and moved over 100 in her career at Mines.
- McChesney moved past 300 career kills on Saturday night.
- Naomi Romslo came off the bench against CCU and hammered down four kills in the opening set.
- Head Coach Jamie Magalei is now 359-131 in her 17th season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers host Colorado Christian on Saturday at 5 p.m.. Free live stats and video on the RMAC Network will be available for both matches.
 
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.