NAMPA, Idaho – The Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team played five sets for the second time in its last three matches on Friday, but eventually fell to Biola at the Northwest Nazarene Tournament.
 
A quartet of Orediggers finished with double-digit kills including Hannah Kinnison (16), Jenna McLaughlin (13), Morgan McChesney (11), Kate Kudlac (10). Kinnison made her day a double-double by adding 20 digs. McLaughlin capped the highlights on offense by hitting .458 in the middle. McLaughlin also knocked down four total blocks while Taylor Helms and Kudlac added three total blocks apiece. Jada Price led the team in the back row, tallying 22 digs.
 
In the box score, Mines (2-5) outperformed Biola (2-4) in hitting percentage (.244-.165), blocks (9-6), and digs (73-68). The Eagle's service game carried them to victory as evidenced by 11 aces compared to two by the Orediggers. Across five sets, Mines used 12 of its 22 rostered players.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Mines offense was as quick to start and equally responsive as an electronic vehicle in the opening set. A team attack percentage of .353 drove the Orediggers to a convincing, 25-14 win. Four error-free kills by McLaughlin and four more from Helms were the spark on offense. Kinnison and Price produced five digs apiece as well. However, Biola bounced back in the second set and outlasted Mines, 32-30, to even the match at one game apiece. Just shy of the halfway point in the contest, Kudlac had surged to seven kills on .500 hitting. Kinnison and Price were up to 23 combined digs.
 
Biola completely flipped the script on the Orediggers in the fourth frame. The Eagles converted at .387 on the attack and held Mines to a .167 mark. That reversal gave BU a 25-18 win and the lead in the match. The Oredigger block in the fourth game came up huge, producing five stuffs while holding BU under .200 on the attack. It was critical defense as Mines only hit .136 with six total kills, but still managed a 25-18 win. However, the Orediggers' defense and momentum didn't carry to the final game. Biola clinched the match, 15-12, holding off a late rally by Mines to earn the win.
 
NOTABLES
- Friday marked the first-ever meeting between Mines and Biola on the volleyball court.
- Kinnison now boasts double-doubles in three straight matches.
- Overall, the match between the Orediggers and Eagles included 36 ties and 22 lead changes.
- Davis' 47 assists matched the freshman's collegiate best as did her two total blocks.
- Kudlac notched a career-high in total blocks with three including the first solo block of her career.
- Price tied her collegiate, single-match high at 22 digs.
- Seven matches into McLaughlin's Mines career, and the freshman has 24 total blocks in 26 sets of action.
- Head Coach Jamie Magalei is now 356-127 in her 17th season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers finish their appearance at the Northwest Nazarene Tournament on Saturday with an 11:30 a.m. match against Augustana. Free live video and stats will be linked on social media and 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.