#22 Mines (19-3, 8-2 RMAC) at Black Hills State (9-14, 4-7 RMAC) – Spearfish, S.D. – Friday, 6 p.m. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]
#22 Mines (19-3, 8-2 RMAC) at South Dakota Mines (18-5, 8-3 RMAC) – Rapid City, S.D. – Saturday, 3 p.m. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]

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NORTHWARD BOUND
The northernmost teams in all the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) await the Colorado School of Mines volleyball team this weekend as the Orediggers head to Black Hills State on Friday and South Dakota Mines on Saturday. The contests mark a return to conference play after last week's power pod. They also start the home stretch of the regular season with just four matches remaining on the schedule. One win for the Orediggers clinches a berth in the conference tournament, but two wins will be key for seeding and NCAA tournament selection.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Both matches this weekend will stream exclusively on the RMAC Network (pay-per-view). There will also be free live statistics which are linked above.
 
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
Monday marked the second iteration of the NCAA Power Index (NPI) rankings for the 2026 volleyball season. Mines remained second in the South Central Region, but moved to #12 overall. The remaining top eight in the region were #1 Angelo State, #3 Dallas Baptist, #4 Colorado Mesa, #5 MSU Denver, #6 UT Tyler, #7 South Dakota Mines, and #8 St. Edward's. 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, UCCS and Oklahoma Christian are on the outside looking in at #9 and #10. The next NPI rankings for volleyball will be published Nov. 2. After Nov. 2, rankings will be updated daily.
 
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.
 
NATIONALLY RANKED
Mines improved to #22 in the latest AVCA-Taraflex Division II Poll put together by the American Volleyball Coaches' Association. The Orediggers' three-spot jump from #25 came after two more straight-set victories last week. Mines is still the only RMAC team in the top 25. Angelo State is the only other ranked team in the region at #5. Colorado Mesa, Dallas Baptist, MSU Denver, and UT Tyler are all receiving votes.
 
MCLAUGHLIN WINS AGAIN
On Monday, Jenna McLaughlin was voted the RMAC Defensive Player of the Week for the fourth time this season. It marked her fifth weekly award overall in 2026 after winning RMAC Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 19. McLaughlin won the award after producing 13 total blocks, 21 kills on .419 hitting and two service aces during the RMAC Power Pod. Her blocks per set were #3 in the nation for the week and led the league. McLaughlin's hitting percentage also ranked #4 in the RMAC and her 3.50 kills per set tied for #6 in the league last week.
 
GILBERT STRIKES AT SETTER
Kaiya Gilbert won RMAC Setter of the Week Monday for the sixth time this year. She's also won five of the last six awards. During the RMAC Power Pod against Colorado Mesa and Westminster, Gilbert posted 63 assists, 15 digs, 10 total blocks, and five kills on .333 hitting. Her 10.50 assists per set ranked #1 in the RMAC and her 1.67 blocks per set ranked #16 in all of NCAA Division II.
 
STILL STREAKIN'
Two more wins last week pushed Mines' program record of consecutive 3-0 victories to 12. The previous record of seven was nearly five years old – established in 2021. By default, the Orediggers also extended their program record of consecutive set wins. The new mark is 36 and counting. The previous record was 22 during the same surge in 2021. Additionally, Mines' 12 consecutive straight-set victories stand alone as the longest active streak in NCAA Division II.
 
NOTING THE RUN
Multiple individuals have been outstanding during Mines' win streak. Jenna McLaughlin tops the list with 110 kills on .413 hitting while adding 62 total blocks at 1.72 blocks per set. She also has eight service aces and 17 digs from her middle blocker position. Cadence McDonald and Abbie O'Shay both boast more than 80 kills during the run with O'Shay hitting .412. In the back row, Francesca Nuzzo has produced 172 digs at 4.78 digs per set with 14 service aces. Kaiya Gilbert is the cherry on top with her 370 assists, 101 digs, 37 total blocks, 33 kills on .351 hitting, 16 aces. Teams have only hit .115 against Mines across the last 12 matches while the Oredigger offense has converted at a .300 clip.
 
SCOUTING BLACK HILLS STATE
After losing to South Dakota Mines at home on Tuesday, Black Hills State sits at 9-14 (4-7 RMAC). The Yellow Jackets are not mathematically eliminated from the postseason, but they do need multiple wins and some help from teams in front of them. Despite the record, BHSU is a dangerous opponent after pushing seven different opponents to five sets this season including league-leading MSU Denver. Three different Yellow Jackets have more than 200 kills through more than 20 matches including Carsyn Mettler, Izzy Saiki, and Zoie Husman. Both Saiki and Elena Atkinson have at least 30 service aces each. Keira Thompson averages 3.13 digs per set. Peyton McLeod owns 76.0 total blocks as well. Black Hills State hits .194 as a team while opponents average a .235 attack percentage.
 
OREDIGGERS AGAINST THE YELLOW JACKETS
Mines is 18-1 in the all-time series against Black Hills State. The only match the Orediggers have ever lost to the Yellow Jackets was the first meeting between the two teams in 1992. Since then, Mines has ripped off 18 straight wins including 13 straight-set victories. The two teams have never played five sets. The last time the Orediggers dropped a set to BHSU was Oct. 14, 2023, in Spearfish, S.D. Last year, Mines swept Black Hills State in Golden after Jenna McLaughlin and Cadence McDonald combined for 22 kills on .463 hitting.
 
SCOUTING SOUTH DAKOTA MINES
South Dakota Mines improved to 18-5 (8-3 RMAC) after its four-set win at Black Hills State on Tuesday. The victory keeps the Hardrockers in the mix for a top-four seed in the RMAC tournament, improves on one of the best SDM seasons in the modern era, and extends their current win streak to seven. South Dakota Mines' last loss was at home against MSU Denver on Oct. 3. The Hardrockers' other two RMAC losses were against UCCS and Colorado Christian.  As a team, SDM ranks #26 in NCAA Division II in kills per set thanks to 292 kills off the hand of Cate Warren and 262 more from Lexi Glendenning. Maria Bouman has 187 kills on .371 hitting and 46 service aces as well. Campbell Sheffield anchors the back row with her 3.53 digs per set. Bouman is stout at the net as well, touting 96 total blocks. The Hardrockers hit .245 as a team and limit their opponents to a .168 attack percentage.
 
OREDIGGERS AGAINST THE HARDROCKERS
Colorado School of Mines leads the volleyball rivalry with South Dakota Mines, 11-7. The Orediggers are also 6-4 in their last 10 meetings with the Hardrockers. Even so, SDM won the latest installment in five sets last year in Golden. The Orediggers took a four-set win earlier in 2025, also in Golden. In the five-set loss, McLaughlin churned out 14 kills and four total blocks. Francesca Nuzzo, playing on the outside at the time, had 13 kills, 22 digs, and six total blocks in the loss. The 3-1 victory featured four Orediggers with double-digit kills and McLaughlin boasting seven total blocks. Colorado School of Mines hasn't won a volleyball match in Rapid City, S.D., since 2022.
 
POWER POD RECAP
Mines' last action was hosting the RMAC Power Pod at Lockridge Arena. The Orediggers started with another 3-0 victory against Colorado Mesa. Caroline Walden's 13 kills led all players. Jenna McLaughlin chipped in 12 kills and eight total blocks. Colorado Mesa and Westminster faced off on Friday evening with CMU grabbing a 3-1 win. Saturday's finale saw Mines sweep the Griffins in exactly 60 minutes. Naomi Romslo gathered nine kills and hit .438. McLaughlin went for nine more kills on .643 hitting. She added five more blocks as well. Also notable were four aces by Francesca Nuzzo and three aces from Avery Perreira.
 
MAGALEI'S MILESTONE
The Orediggers' win at Westminster on Oct. 16 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 403-150, 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.
 
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 (403-150) and win percentage (.729) 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 403-150 (.729) 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 exactly 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
Mines returns to Golden for its regular-season finales next weekend with Chadron State and Regis coming to town.
 
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.