CHADRON, Neb. – The Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team won its third straight match and 20th of the season Saturday as the Orediggers swept past Chadron State inside the Chicoine Center.
 
Abby Tiesman was the tip of the spear on offense with 14 kills while hitting .423. However, the story of the match was arguable Amanda Donais' five service aces. The true freshman also recorded eight kills and five digs. Taylor Hicken joined Tiesman in double digits with 11 kills of her own. Drew Stokes was also stellar with 38 assists and three kills while hitting 1.000. Capping it all off was Elle Duis with 15 digs on defense.
 
Mines (20-3, 14-1 RMAC) finished the match with 12 service aces as a team. Chadron State (7-16, 5-9 RMAC) hit nearly .300 as a team, but could not overcome the hot-serving Orediggers. The victory helps Mines maintain its spot at #1 in the league standings, just one match ahead of Dixie State and Colorado Mesa.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mines established the service game as its weapon of choice in the opening set, racking up six service aces as a team with Donais notching two. Lindsey Jin and Tiesman knocked down three kills each as the Orediggers hit .385 as team, winning the first game 25-18.
 
The Orediggers were even better in the second set. Donais added two more service aces as Mines finished the set with four total. Hicken racked up five kills. The visitors scalded Chadron State, hitting .433 as a team as it posted an identical 25-18 score to take a 2-0 lead into intermission.
 
Chadron State nearly stole a set in the third game. However, Megan Neil came off the bench for her first action of the match to save the sweep. Stokes set Neil her first kill to pull Mines within one, 21-22. Then, Neil capped it all off with back-to-back kills at 24-23 and 25-23. The true freshman finished the match hitting 1.000 with three kills.
 
NOTABLES
- Under head coach Jamie Magalei, Mines is 20-0 against Chadron State.
- The Orediggers have dropped just five sets to the Eagles with Magalei at the helm.
- Mines has recorded 11 sweeps so far this season.
- Saturday's victory gives the Orediggers at least 20 wins in eight consecutive seasons.
- Tiesman has racked up double-digit kills in six straight matches.
- Donais' five service aces are tied for the most for Mines in a match since 2010.
- Saturday marked Donais' second match with five service aces in 2018.
- Tiesman surpassed 200 digs for her career with four against Chadron State.
- Coach Magalei is 252-84 in 11 seasons at Mines.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines hosts Western Colorado Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. inside Lockridge Arena. The match is also Parent & Greek Night for the Orediggers. Live stats and video of the match will be available at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.