GOLDEN, Colo. - #19 Colorado School of Mines ran their RMAC record to 12-0, shaking off UCCS in a hard-fought 3-1 (25-20, 26-24, 23-25, 25-23) win to clinch a spot in the RMAC Tournament.
The Orediggers (18-3) won their 12th in a row behind a 56-assist, eight-dig effort from
Marina Hansen and 16 kills apiece from
Lindsey Jin (.448) and
Madeline Behr (.355), and
Janice Jin added an 11-kill, 13-dig double-double, her second of the season. The Mountain Lions received 17 kills from Alyssa Brinton as they stayed close in every set.
Mines ended the first set on a 4-1 run, hitting .310 to win the only set decided by more than two points at 25-20. It was a dogfight from there as UCCS survived three set points in the second to tie it 24-24 before back-to-back kills by
Lindsey Jin and
Abby Tiesman gave Mines the 26-24 win; the two went point-for-point in the third until a 3-0 Mountain Lion run from 22-22 secured them a 25-23 win.
The Orediggers wouldn't be denied, however, prevailing 25-23 in the fourth despite both teams hitting sub-.200. After trading early runs, Mines went ahead 16-14 thanks to a 4-0 run and didn't trail until UCCS went ahead 23-22; the Orediggers ended on a 3-0 run, however, with
Marina Hansen's ace sealing the win.
LaRose Currie led the defense with 18 digs, with
Hailey Babcock adding 10.
The Orediggers continue their season Friday visiting Chadron State.