CHADRON, Neb. -- November 4, 2016 -- Chadron State College volleyball improved to 7-17 overall, 6-9 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, with a slow start and a strong finish over South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (1-25, 0-15 RMAC) in Chicoine Center Friday night.

Despite losing the hitting percentage advantage .243 to .169 over the first two sets combined, CSC managed to eke out the first set 26-24 and go into the intermission tied 1-1 after the second set also went to tiebreakers and went to the Hardrockers 26-28.

The Eagles then had three of their 10 team blocks, and two of their seven total blocks from the evening, to make up the difference in a 25-20 set three win. Chadron State was setting the table for a dominant set four.

Tied 7-7 in the fourth, CSC went on an 11-4 run in which Alia Brennan had three of her evening's 12 kills. From there the Eagles cruised to a 25-18 finish.

Rudy Leasau was relentless hitting outside for a .319 percentage and leading all players with 20 kills. She added 11 digs and four block assists to complete one of the finest all around games of her career.

Timmi Keisel at middle hitter led the team in both hitting percentage (.412) and total blocks, with eight, for another career night by an Eagle. She recorded seven kills after a previous high of two.

Stalwart setter Madison Webb had 17 of her 50 total assists in the pivotal fourth set, in which she propelled the Eagles to hit .368 as a team.

Libero Emily Bruce led the Eagles with 21 digs and had three of the team's seven service aces.

CSC hosts Black Hills State tomorrow seeking redemption for a 3-0 loss earlier in the season. BHSU (6-17, 4-11 RMAC) is coming off four straight losses including the latest at Regis on Friday night, putting them two matches behind Chadron State in the conference standings.

"We're really excited to have a second shot at Black Hills," said head volleyball coach Riann Mullis. "Our last match up there in Spearfish was a low point in our season, so we're happy to have the chance to redeem ourselves. That's really motivating us tonight. Finishing on a good note tonight and taking that into tomorrow will surely help us focus on them tomorrow."

Saturday night, the Eagles will be collecting new or gently used shoes for charity in their Barefoot for Bare Feet shoe drive. Guests donating a pair of shoes will be granted free admission to the match.