#25 Mines (17-3, 8-2 RMAC) vs. Colorado Mesa (16-4, 8-2 RMAC) – Lockridge Arena – Thursday, 6 p.m. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]
Colorado Mesa (16-4, 8-2 RMAC) vs. Westminster (3-15, 2-8 RMAC) – Lockridge Arena – Friday, 6 p.m. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]
#25 Mines (17-3, 8-2 RMAC) vs. Westminster (3-15, 2-8 RMAC) – Lockridge Arena – Saturday, 5 p.m. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]

---

THE POWER POD
This weekend, all of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference volleyball teams will be participating in a series of RMAC Power Pods. The pods are based on last year's final conference standings, which means #25-ranked Mines is hosting Colorado Mesa and Westminster at Lockridge Arena. The pod begins Thursday evening at 6 p.m. with a showdown between the Orediggers and Mavericks. Friday brings a 6 p.m. neutral-court match between CMU and WU. Saturday's finale pits Mines against the Griffins in a 5 p.m. contest. None of the results count against the RMAC standings, but they do apply to teams' overall records and potential NCAA-tournament selection and seeding.
 
FREE CHICK-FIL-A
Colorado School of Mines students should make sure to get to Thursday's match early. The first 100 Oredigger students to arrive at Lockridge Arena will receive free Chick-Fil-A.
 
GET YOUR TICKETS
Fans are encouraged to purchase digital tickets or print tickets at home ahead of time by going to www.minesathletics.com/tickets. Adults are $10. Children, seniors, and military are $5. Mines faculty, staff, and students receive complimentary admission and can obtain tickets by logging in at tickets.minesathletics.com with their Mines single sign-on. Additionally, children age 11 and under are free.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
All three matches this weekend will stream exclusively on the RMAC Network (pay-per-view). There will also be free live statistics which are linked above. Alex Becker will provide play-by-play commentary for Thursday's match with Noah Syverson calling the action between Colorado Mesa and Westminster on Friday. Kienan Dixon will be on the finale between WU and Mines.
 
RMAC NETWORK
The RMAC Network continues to have a pay-per-view model for all events. Fans can purchase monthly and annual subscriptions that will provide them access to all regular-season, championship, and archived broadcasts on the RMAC Network. A monthly subscription costs $25, and an annual subscription costs $130. Single-game passes are available for $12.50, which grants access to a single game for 24 hours. For technical support questions, fans can contact Hudl Support or email the RMAC directly (rmac@rmacsports.org). For further support, fans can visit the RMAC Network Help page.
 
NPI RANKINGS
The NCAA released its first power index (NPI) rankings of the 2026 volleyball season Monday morning, and Mines debuted as the second-ranked team in the South Central Region while sitting 15th overall. Monday's preliminary rankings for the region featured Angelo State from the Lone Star Conference (LSC) in first, Mines in second, Colorado Mesa third, Dallas Baptist fourth, MSU Denver fifth, UT Tyler sixth, UCCS seventh, and South Dakota Mines eighth. The winners of the RMAC and LSC tournaments will earn automatic qualification with six more selected from the NPI rankings as at-large teams. Currently, St. Edward's and West Texas A&M are on the outside looking in at ninth and 10th. The next NPI rankings for volleyball will be published Oct. 26 and then Nov. 2. After Nov. 2, rankings will be updated daily. Meanwhile, Mines volleyball is back in action this Thursday and Saturday as the Orediggers' host Colorado Mesa and Westminster in the RMAC Power Pod.
 
MORE ON THE NPI
The NCAA Power Index, or NPI, is a ranking system used to evaluate team performance. It is taking the place of Regional Advisory Committees (RACs), which previously determined regional rankings and championship selection. The RACs were comprised of coaches and administrators of member schools within each region. The NPI is new this year to Division II, while Division III has been using NPI since the 2024-25 academic year. The formula considers match results and the strength of opponents to calculate a team's NPI value and ranking. Calculations update throughout the season as teams play additional contests and opponent values change. A team's final NPI is not determined until the final games and rankings of the season are complete. The primary purpose is to compare teams for rankings and NCAA championship selection. Once automatic qualifiers are determined, remaining teams are considered for at-large selection based on NPI ranking until the championship field is filled. More information about the NPI system, calculations and records and dials can be found here.
 
NATIONAL POLLS
Week eight of the American Volleyball Coaches' Association's AVCA-Taraflex Division II Poll came out Monday and Mines made its 2026 debut at 25. Monday's announcement marks the Orediggers' first appearance in the national top 25 since the start of the 2023 season when they appeared at 22nd in the preseason poll. The last time Mines was nationally ranked during the regular season was the 2022 campaign when they were listed in every edition of the rankings. The Orediggers are currently the only RMAC team in the top 25 and one of two from the South Central Region with Angelo State checking in at fifth. Colorado Mesa, MSU Denver, and Dallas Baptist are also receiving votes.
 
RMAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Francesca Nuzzo won RMAC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career on Monday. She claimed the award after helping Mines sweep past Westminster and Colorado Mesa. Her resume across two matches and six sets of action included 46 digs at 7.67 digs per set as well as 12 assists and two service aces. She had 21 digs against the Griffins and 25 more in Grand Junction. Nuzzo helped the Orediggers hold the #1 hitting team in the conference to a .223 attack percentage.
 
RMAC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jenna McLaughlin won RMAC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, marking her first offensive award of the season and third of her career. During Mines' road trip to Westminster and Colorado Mesa, the junior middle blocks totaled 22 kills on 43 attempts with zero attack errors to hit .512. She added 10 total blocks, three digs, and one service ace as well. Eleven of her kills came against the Griffins and she had 11 more at CMU. McLaughlin helped Mines hit .343 against the #2-ranked defense in the conference.
 
MAGALEI'S MILESTONE
Last Friday's win at Westminster marked the 400th career victory for Mines Head Coach Jamie Magalei. She's the only active coach in the RMAC with more than 400 career wins. With a career record of 401-150, the North Dakota native continues to rank top-20 among all active coaches in NCAA Division II in winning percentage and top-40 in the same group for total wins. The 100th career win of Magalei's career came on Nov. 3, 2012, in a five-set thriller at MSU Denver. She reached 200 in four sets on Oct. 29, 2016, on Senior Night against Regis. Win 300 for Magalei was Sept., 16, 2021. That was also a four-set victory against Regis.
 
RECORD EXTENDED
Last weekend, Mines extended its program record of consecutive 3-0 victories to 10 with a sweep at Westminster Friday and another straight-set win at Colorado Mesa on Saturday. The previous record of seven was nearly half a decade old – established in 2021. Inevitably, Mines also extended its program record of consecutive sets won. The new mark is 30 and counting. The previous record was 22 during the same run in 2021. Additionally, the Orediggers' 10 consecutive straight-set victories stand alone as the longest active streak in NCAA Division II.
 
SWEEP STATS
Across the Mines' last 10 matches, Jenna McLaughlin has dominated for the Orediggers on offense and defense. She touts 89 kills on .411 hitting during that span and also boasts 49 total blocks at 1.63 blocks per set and six aces. Additionally, Cadence McDonald and Abbie O'Shay have put down 75 kills each during the surge with O'Shay converting at .405. Kaiya Gilbert's 307 assists come out to 10.23 assists per set, fueling a team attack percentage of .298. She's also recorded 27 total blocks – ranking second on the team and has led the squad with 16 service aces. Francesca Nuzzo has averaged 5.13 digs per set on a defense limiting opposing teams to a .115 hitting percentage.
 
SCOUTING COLORADO MESA
Not much has changed since Mines faced Colorado Mesa less than a week ago. The biggest difference is CMU is now 16-4 (8-2 RMAC) and tied for second in the conference standings. Outside of that, Ashlee Macias still tops the offense now at 206 kills and 26 service aces. Jaycee Windorski is hitting .370 with 102 kills. Maya Grant owns 236 digs which comes out to 3.42 digs per set on a team that hits .290 – ranking sixth in the nation. Windorski also leads the defense at the net with her 64.0 blocks.
 
OREDIGGERS AGAINST THE MAVERICKS
Mines added another win in the volleyball rivalry with Colorado Mesa last weekend. The count is now 48-24-1 in favor of the Mavericks. The Orediggers' best run against CMU was four consecutive wins from 2011-13. Mines is 5-5 in its last five meetings with Colorado Mesa. Last Saturday's meeting featured 11 kills each from Jenna McLaughlin and Cadence McDonald while Caroline Walden knocked down nine. Kaiya Gilbert handed out 37 assists and added seven digs, three kills, two total blocks, and a service ace. Francesca Nuzzo stacked 25 digs. McLaughlin, Abbie O'Shay, and McDonald recorded three blocks apiece.
 
SCOUTING WESTMINSTER
Westminster also hasn't played since losing to the Orediggers last Friday. That makes the Griffins 3-15 (2-8 RMAC). They're also on a four-match skid. Elsa Gilmore's 164 kills are the most on the team. Kyra Mahler is most efficient with her .318 attack percentage. Ava Livolsi owns 26 aces and 330 digs. Alie Coleman has recorded 43.0 total blocks while Mahler touts 42.0 total blocks. The last time Westminster won a match, or even a set, was a five-set victory at home against Western Colorado on Oct. 3. All six of WU's last losses have come in straight sets.
 
OREDIGGERS AGAINST THE MAVERICKS
Mines volleyball is 14-1 all-time against Westminster. The Orediggers' only loss to the Griffins was in 2023 in Salt Lake City. Last weekend, Mines swept WU in Salt Lake City thanks to Jenna McLaughlin's 11 kills on .500 hitting. She also had seven total blocks as Mines recorded 14 blocks as a team. Included in the Orediggers' 14 wins against Westminster are eight 3-0 victories, a quartet of four-setters, and two five-set thrillers.
 
ROAD TRIP RECAP
It's been referenced throughout the preview, but here's a quick look back at Mines' last time in action. The Orediggers played Westminster in Salt Lake City on Saturday. Jenna McLaughlin led the charge to a 3-0 victory with 11 error-free kills and seven total blocks. Also notable were Nuzzo's 21 digs and two service aces. On Saturday, Mines spoiled Colorado Mesa's homecoming in three sets by hitting .343 as a team. McLaughlin fueled the efficiency with 11 more error-free kills while McDonald notched 11 as well on .333 hitting. Already mentioned was Gilbert's line including 37 assists, seven digs, two blocks, three kills, and one service ace. Nuzzo left Grand Junction with 25 digs in hand.
 
AT THE HELM
The 2026 season marks the 19th with Jamie Magalei at the helm for Mines volleyball. She's the program's all-time leader in total wins (401-150) and win percentage (.728) by a large margin. Magalei is also the longest-tenured and winningest head coach among current RMAC skippers. Furthermore, the North Dakota native entered the 2026 season ranked 18th in winning percentage and 38th in total wins among active DII head coaches. She surpassed 300 career wins in 2021 and 400 career wins earlier this season at Westminster. She was one of six skippers to reach 300 wins while coaching in the RMAC. Through the 2025 season, Magalei has coached 32 all-America selections, three CSC Academic All-Americans, and 72 all-conference performers. Her resume also includes three Regional Players of the Year, two Regional Freshmen of the Year, and 16 RMAC major award winners. Magalei has guided Mines to six RMAC regular-season championships, and five RMAC Tournament titles with 13 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances from 2009-22 (no NCAA tournament in 2020) and 14 overall. She also guided the Orediggers to either a conference regular-season or tournament title every season from 2012-21 including a sweep of both in 2015.
 
MAGALEI LEADS THE RMAC
As referenced above, Mines Head Coach Jamie Magalei is the longest-tenured and winningest head coach among current RMAC skippers. At 401-150 (.728) overall, she's nearly 200 wins ahead of Grayson DuBose at Black Hills State who is just in his second season at BHSU but his 16th overall. Magalei's also nearly 200 wins ahead of Colorado Christian's Bobby Blanken who entered his 10th season at CCU with 192 victories. Regis' Joel List is also entering his 10th season at Regis which ties him and Blanken for the second-longest tenure in the RMAC among active head coaches.
 
UP NEXT
Next weekend, Mines hits the road to play at Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines volleyball on "X" (formerly Twitter) at @MinesVolleyball and on Instagram at @mines.volleyball. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, "X" and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.