Box score

DURANGO, Colo. — No. 12 Colorado Mines (16-4 overall, 10-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) lived up to its national ranking tonight, racking up their tenth straight victory in straight sets over Fort Lewis (9-9, 5-5). After winning a tight opener 25-20, the Orediggers rolled to 25-13 and 25-17 wins.
 
“Colorado Mines is very deserving of their ranking,” said ninth-year FLC head coach Shelly Aaland. “While most teams have two to three go-to players, Mines has all five, which makes defense a huge challenge.”
 
Melanie Wannamaker notched 12 kills, a .647 hitting efficiency, and a pair of blocks to pace CSM. Anna Padget-Shields added 10 kills and hit .450. Setter Danielle Johnson-Hazlewood distributed 36 assists. As a team, the Orediggers hit .391 with 45 kills, including a mammoth .485 in the second set in which they had 17 kills and just one hitting error. CSM also notched seven service aces, with four by Holly Hutchison.
 
Their hitting might have been even better if not for nine digs by FLC libero Jenna Kinzer.
 
“Jenna had another good night defensively,” said Aaland. “Teams have figured out not to serve her, so she gives us her highlights in defense and serving.”
 
Ashley Wells led the FLC attack with 11 kills and a .308 hitting percentage. Kristin Stephan added five kills, while setter Ciara Krening had 17 assist and a service ace.
 
The Orediggers won their sixth straight over the Skyhawks, who lead the all-time series with Colorado Mines 34-22.
 
Fort Lewis is now 2-2 in four matches against the RMAC East Division, but travels to the Front Range next week for a trio of matches against three of the RMAC's toughest teams. Fort Lewis plays at UC-Colorado Springs (12-6, 7-3) at 7 p.m. Thursday, at No. 20 Metro State (12-6, 7-3) at 7 p.m. Friday, and at No. 18 Regis (15-6, 9-2) at 5 p.m. Saturday.