LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Volleyball team suffered a heart-breaking loss on Saturday evening, falling in five sets to Colorado Christian inside the CCU events center.
 
Despite the defeat, multiple Orediggers put up quality performances. Abby Tiesman led Mines on 16 kills and a .484 hitting percentage. Rose Stuewe added double-digit kills with 14 and Julia Eiken joined the party with 10 kills. Defensively, Elle Duis and Gabby Castronova ruled the back row, combining for 42 digs between the two. Outside hitter Lindsey Jin also added 11 digs to the effort. Drew Stokes and Delaney Duis split the setting duties to tune of 49 assists.
 
Mines (15-6, 8-5 RMAC) close the regular-season series against Colorado Christian (8-13, 4-9 RMAC) with a 1-1 split after sweeping the Cougars inside Lockridge Arena earlier this season. As a team, the Orediggers hit .188 and knocked down six blocks compared to .137 and 12 blocks by the Cougars. The loss keeps CCU in competition for a spot in the RMAC Tournament while Mines drops into the bottom half of the bracket with five matches left to play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Saturday evening presented the first opportunity for Mines to take in Colorado Christian's newly finished gym floor inside the CCU Events Center featuring the skyline of Denver and the peak of a mountain stained into the wood. Despite a slow start for both teams, the Orediggers took the opening set, 25-19. Mines earned the early win on a 7-2 run after CCU had pulled within 18-17. Tiesman and Hicken led the charge with four kills each while Elle Duis and Castronova held it down on defense, producing a combined 13 digs.
 
The second set ended with the exact same score as the opening round, but this time in favor of the home team. Colorado Christian never trailed in the second frame and evened the match in a 25-19 win. Game three proved much of the same. The home team took a 2-1 advantage in the match thanks to two blocks that helped hold Mines to .150 on the attack. However, with their backs against the wall, the Orediggers came out swinging.
 
Mines absolutely dominated the fourth set to stave off defeat. The Orediggers hit .400 and knocked down four total blocks. Unfortunately for the visitors, the reprieve would only be temporary. The turning point in the final game was a 4-1, Cougar run from 7-7 that put them in the driver seat. Colorado Christian clinched the victory by a final score of 15-12.
 
NOTABLES
- Castronova's 18 digs were a career best for the true freshman.
- Stuewe's 14 kills re-upped her career high for a second straight weekend.
- Another career high was Eiken's 10 kills as well as the sophomore's three total blocks.
- Four different Orediggers collected multiple service aces against CCU.
- The Orediggers are now 106-16 in RMAC play dating back to 2012.
- The last time Mines lost five games in RMAC play was 2011 when they advanced to the NCAA Tournament for a third straight season.
- Head coach Jamie Magalei is 271-93 in 12 seasons at Mines.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers' next match is Friday 7 p.m. against Chadron State inside Lockridge Arena. Live stats and video 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. Fans can also follow Mines Volleyball on Twitter using the handle @MinesVolleyball.