UPCOMING MATCHES Friday, Sept. 21 at Black Hills State University | 7 p.m. | Live Stats | Video Saturday, Sept. 22 at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology | 3 p.m. | Live Stats | Video

THIS WEEK
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs volleyball team (4-9, 2-3 RMAC) will take their two-match winning streak on the road this weekend to Black Hills State University and South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.  Friday's match against the Yellow Jackets will start at 7 p.m., followed by Saturday's match at 3 p.m. against the Hardockers.
 
SCOUTING THE YELLOW JACKETS
The Yellow Jackets are currently tied for seventh place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.  BHSU is also on a two-match winning streak after defeating New Mexico Highlands University, 3-1, and Colorado State University-Pueblo, 3-2 last weekend on the road.
 
BHSU is blocking at a rate of 2.14 blocks per set, the third most in the RMAC. 
 
Both teams met twice last season.  The Yellow Jackets won the first meeting in the regular season, 3-2, after the Mountain Lions surrendered a 2-0 set lead.  UCCS adjusted to sweep BHSU in the final weekend of the regular season at home.
 
SCOUTING THE HARDROCKERS
South Dakota Mines ranks second overall in the league in digs (16.55 per set).  The Hardrockers Dana Thompson leads the RMAC and is ranked sixth in Division II in kills per game (4.60).  SDSMT owns a 3-9 overall record and are 1-3 in conference matches, tying them for 13^th in the standings.
 
The Mountain Lions swept the Hardrockers last season in both regular season matches.
 
LEADERS IN THE RMAC
UCCS sophomore setter Raelyn Edge is ranked third overall in the RMAC in assists, with an average of 10.72 assists per set. She also leads the RMAC with the most assists in one match: 75 in five sets against Adams State (non-conference), which is 14 more assists than the next ranked player. UCCS is ranked fourth in average assists per set (12.19).
 
Redshirt freshman libero Jordyn Kinsey is seventh overall in digs in the RMAC with an average of 4.68 digs per set. She recorded the seventh most digs in a match with 30 digs against Tarleton State. Kinsey leads the team in digs with 248.
 
Sophomore middle blocker Josie Russell is fourth in the RMAC in hitting percentage with .340 percent. She posted the second and eighth best attack percent in a match amongst RMAC teams with a .636 against Adams State (non-conference) and .560 against Henderson State, respectively.
 
Junior middle blocker Lauren Brown tallied the sixth best attack percent in a match with a .579 mark against vs. Western New Mexico.  She leads the team with 45 total blocks.
 
Josie Russell and Lauren Brown, along with senior outside hitter Alyssa Brinton (3.05 average kills per set) and junior outside hitter Taylor Smith (2.46 average kills per set) have assisted tremendously in pushing UCCS to fourth in the RMAC in average kills per set with 13.08, and sixth in hitting percentage with .192.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Mountain Lions opened their home season last week with three matches in Gallogly Events Center.  UCCS was swept on Tuesday by No. 25 Colorado School of Mines, before earning a sweep on Friday against Fort Lewis College.  On Saturday, UCCS won in five sets against Adams State University.  The Mountain Lions have won both matches against the Grizzlies this season in five sets.

AWARD WINNERS
This season, Raelynn Edge and Alyssa Brinton have earned awards for the Mountain Lions.  Edge was named the first RMAC Setter of the Week of the season on Sept. 3, the first conference award of the season for the Mountain Lions.  In four matches at the Dixie State University Volleyball Classic, Edge averaged 11.7 assists. 
 
Senior outside hitter Brinton opened the season earning 2018 Washburn Invitational All-Tournament Team honors. In four matches, Brinton hit .250 or better in the final three matches and averaged 3.25 digs per set.

UP NEXT
UCCS returns home to Gallogly Events Center Sept. 28 and Sept. 29 to face Westminster College at 7 p.m. on Friday, and Dixie State University on Saturday at 5 p.m.  Friday's match against the Griffins is the Mountain Lions annual WHITE OUT night. The first 500 fans to the match will receive a free t-shirt. 
 
Following the second set on Friday, the 2018 RMAC Women's Golf Championship team will be recognized and presented with their championship rings.
 
CLYDE'S CUPBOARD
UCCS is partnering with Clyde's Cupboard to drive donations for non-perishable food items for students.  Clyde's Cupboard is UCCS' on-campus food pantry and is open on Wednesday's and Thursday's from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to all currently enrolled students. Clyde's Cupboard offers free food to a growing number of UCCS students, who can visit the cupboard of cereals and nonperishable items in the Student Life Office up to twice a week and take home six items a visit (with valid UCCS student ID).
 
This fall, Clyde's Cupboard will accept donations at three home matches, beginning on Friday, Sept. 28 during the White Out volleyball match against Westminster College at 7 p.m.  Clyde's Cupboard will also be accepting donations on Sunday, Oct. 14 during the women's soccer Senior Day against Colorado Christian University, and Friday, Oct. 19 at the men's soccer match, also against CCU at 6 p.m.
 
For every non-perishable food item donated, the donor will receive a ticket to be entered into a prize drawing.  The prize will consist of a Mountain Lion gear gift basket.  Friday's drawing will take place after the second set against the Griffins.