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Kendra Swackenberg
Max DeHerrera/Sports Fanatic Photography

Women's Volleyball Brian Kortz

Volleyball Preps for RMAC Tournament Tuesday Night at Colorado School of Mines

GOLDEN, Colo. – Reaching the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament for the first time since 2013, the Fort Lewis College volleyball team will enter as the eighth seed and will play at the top seed Colorado School of Mines Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

It's been quite the season for first year Head Coach Tricia Melfy, as Fort Lewis has compiled a 9-13 overall record, but a solid 9-9 mark in RMAC games. It's the best conference record since the team won 10 in 2013 and last reached the conference tournament.

The Skyhawks used a dominating home court advantage throughout the year going 7-2, which at one point included a six-game winning streak and a big win over Colorado Mesa. Following a four-set win over Black Hills State, Fort Lewis caught fire at the right time winning five straight as they also defeated South Dakota Mines, Western Colorado, Colorado Mesa and CSU-Pueblo.

Haley Christiansen and Bailey Longacre each have over 200 kills, led by 230 from Christiansen and Longacre adds 211. Tye Wedhorn adds 150 kills and Ohiyah Shirley gives FLC with four players over 100 with 116. Kendra Swackneberg has guided the offense as the setter dishing out 586 assists. On defense, four have at least 100 digs with libero Megan Graefe leading the way with 333. Christiansen is right behind with 322, Swackenberg adds 182 and Shirley with 142. Wedhorn has sent back 59 blocks, Maddie LeBlanc adds 44 and Longacre with 43.

FLC finished the regular season fourth in the RMAC and 90th nationally in digs per set (17.25), sixth in the RMAC and 87th nationally in team attacks per set (37.48), ninth in the RMAC in hitting percentage (.186) and ninth in the RMAC in match win-loss percentage (.409).

Individually, Christiansen is second in the RMAC and 60th nationally in attacks per set (10.59) and 10th in the RMAC in total attacks (847). Swackenberg is 11th in the RMAC in assists per set (7.51) and 12th in total assists (586). Wedhorn is third in the RMAC and 39th nationally in hitting percentage (.366) and ninth in the RMAC in blocks per set (0.92). Graefe checks-in eighth in the RMAC in digs per set (4.44).

As it turns out, back in 2013, FLC also faced Colorado School of Mines in the first round of the RMAC Tournament in Golden. Earlier this season the teams faced each other in Golden on Sep. 15 and the Orediggers, then ranked 25th in the nation, claimed the 3-0 victory. Colorado School of Mines won by set scores of 25-19, 25-18, 25-16. Christiansen led Fort Lewis with six kills, two service aces and 15 digs. Jacalyn Sharko also had six kills. Swackenberg dished out 10 assists, Graefe added 10 digs and Longacre sent back three blocks.

Colorado School of Mines is 22-4 overall and finished the RMAC regular season with a 16-2 mark. The Orediggers are currently receiving votes in the AVCA National Poll. Colorado School of Mines is 11-2 at home this season, with both losses coming in conference against Colorado Christian and Colorado Mesa. The Orediggers won last time out picking up a 3-1 win against UC-Colorado Springs in Golden.

Abby Tiesman leads the offense with 339 kills, followed by 252 from Lindsey Jin. Taylor Hicken (203) and Amanda Donais (200) also have at least 200 kills. Drew Stokes has tallied 1,141 assists, while on defense, Elle Duis has 444 digs and Tiesman has sent back 93 blocks.

Live video and stats will be available for the game. If FLC wins, they would then travel to the next highest seed in the bracket on Friday night which would either be Dixie State (two seed), Colorado Mesa (three seed) or MSU Denver (four seed) most likely, unless all the lower seeds win, then the No. 5 seed in Regis would host.
 
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Players Mentioned

Megan Graefe

#6 Megan Graefe

DS
5' 6"
Senior
Club One
Maddie LeBlanc

#13 Maddie LeBlanc

MB
6' 0"
Senior
Spiral
Bailey Longacre

#8 Bailey Longacre

MB
6' 1"
Junior
TAV
Tye Wedhorn

#17 Tye Wedhorn

MB
6' 0"
Freshman
Haley Christiansen

#4 Haley Christiansen

OH/RS
5' 10"
Senior
Jacalyn Sharko

#9 Jacalyn Sharko

OH
5' 9"
Freshman
Ohiyah Shirley

#19 Ohiyah Shirley

OH
5' 11"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Megan Graefe

#6 Megan Graefe

5' 6"
Senior
Club One
DS
Maddie LeBlanc

#13 Maddie LeBlanc

6' 0"
Senior
Spiral
MB
Bailey Longacre

#8 Bailey Longacre

6' 1"
Junior
TAV
MB
Tye Wedhorn

#17 Tye Wedhorn

6' 0"
Freshman
MB
Haley Christiansen

#4 Haley Christiansen

5' 10"
Senior
OH/RS
Jacalyn Sharko

#9 Jacalyn Sharko

5' 9"
Freshman
OH
Ohiyah Shirley

#19 Ohiyah Shirley

5' 11"
Junior
OH