GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team faced off with #18-ranked Colorado Mesa on Saturday night to close Homecoming Weekend while celebrating Alumni Night. The result was a straight-set loss for the Orediggers.
 
Taylor Helms and Hannah Kinnison had the most kills for Mines (5-7, 2-2 RMAC) with eight apiece. Additionally, on offense, Allison Jansen hit .500 thanks to three error-free kills. Presley Powell and Kinnison each notched a service ace while Powell added 21 assists. Kinnison led the Orediggers in digs as well with seven. Five total blocks from Jenna McLaughlin were also a highlight for Mines.
 
The Orediggers finished the match boasting 8.0 blocks as a team, but only hit .169 on the attack. On the flip side, Colorado Mesa converted at a .366 clip and tallied four service aces. Stormi Tadlock topped a long list of notable Maverick performances, knocking down 11 kills on a .667 attack percentage.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mines' offense got off to a slow start and couldn't find its groove in the opening frame. The Orediggers hit under zero while Colorado Mesa attacked at .440 in a 25-13 win. The second set saw the home team get three kills each from Kinnison, Helms, and Jansen. Unfortunately, CMU remained efficient and took a 25-20 victory behind .342 hitting. Ten combined kills off the hands of Helms and Kate Kudlac, along with four kills by Kinnison, gave Mines its best shot of the night to avoid the sweep. In the end, the Mavericks surged late and finished the 3-0 victory, 25-23.
 
NOTABLES
- Saturday marked the first meeting between Mines and Colorado Mesa in Golden since 2021. The Orediggers won that match in straight sets.
- Kinnison now boasts exactly 600 digs in her collegiate career including 162 at Mines after playing at the University of San Francisco and Angelo State.
- In the first 12 matches of her collegiate career, McLaughlin has stacked up 49 total blocks.
- Head Coach Jamie Magalei is now 359-129 in her 17th season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers host #2 MSU Denver on Friday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. They play Colorado Christian on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 5 p.m. inside Lockridge Arena as well. 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.