Friday, March 6, 2026
The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
Alia Brennan (12), senior of Chadron, and Rudy Leasau (21), senior of LaMesa, California, attempt to block a spike Saturday at the volleyball game against Black Hills State University, Spearfish, South Dakota, at the Chicoine Center. —Photo by Justine Stone
SportsVolleyball

Volleyball team unable to sweep SD rivals

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Alia Brennan (12), senior of Chadron, and Rudy Leasau (21), senior of LaMesa, California, attempt to block a spike Saturday at the volleyball game against Black Hills State University, Spearfish, South Dakota, at the Chicoine Center. —Photo by Justine Stone
Alia Brennan (12), senior of Chadron, and Rudy Leasau (21), senior of LaMesa, California, attempt to block a spike Saturday at the volleyball game against Black Hills State University, Spearfish, South Dakota, at the Chicoine Center. —Photo by Justine Stone

After a four-set battle against the South Dakota School of Mines, Rapid City, the Eagles earned a “W” Friday at the Chicoine Center, but tallied another “L” the next night, losing to Black Hills State University, Spearfish, South Dakota, Saturday. CSC’s overall record now stands at 7-18 and their RMAC record at 6-10.
The Eagles struggled the first two sets against Mines, taking the first with 26-24 and losing the second 28-26. They rallied in the last two, however, to finish 25-20 and 25-18.
During the last two sets, the Eagles gained discipline and consistency, according to Head Coach Riann Mullis. Overall, the players struggled to keep control of the ball during their serves and their passes, Mullis said.
During the first set, the teams were tied seven times, the last at 24-24. Alia Brennan, senior middle hitter of Chadron, and Madison Webb, sophomore of Loveland, Colorado, ended the set with a kill and service ace, respectively.
The Hardrockers took the lead in set No. 2 until the Eagles tied the score at 19-19. Possession bounced back and forth, and the score was tied again at 25-25, and then again at 26-26. South Dakota Mines ended the set with two kills.
The Eagles came back in force during the third, scoring three-straight points, Gaby Varela, junior of Dorado, Puerto Rico, delivered the final blow.
The Hardrockers struggled to keep up during set No. 4 after the Eagles broke a 7-7 tie. CSC scored three-straight points and South Dakota Mines wasn’t able to close that gap.
While first two sets were tense, Mullis said that home-court advantage helped the team pull through.
Rudy Leasau, senior of LaMesa, California, led with 20 kills, Brennan and Varela followed with 12 and 10, respectively. Webb logged 50 assists.
Emily Bruce, junior of Centerton, Arkansas, led the team defensively with 21 digs, Varela ended with 13, and Laesau, 11.
“We’re disappointed we didn’t make the RMAC Tournament, but we’re just going to focus on the last two games and get some wins,” Mullis said. “We know what we need to focus on in the off-season.”
Saturday, against BHSU, the Eagles took the first set before dropping the last three despite earning a few temporary leads.
Brennan recorded a total of 16 kills. Varela accomplished 13 kills, while Leasau marked 11 kills and one ace. Webb created 48 assists.
Defensively, Bruce put up 21 digs with Leaseu recording 14, and Varela, 13. Brennan put up five blocks, while Webb and Timmi Keisel, redshirt freshmen of Fleming, Colorado, contributed three each.
In the first set, the Eagles managed to pull a six-score streak, ahead at 12-7 and even winning 25-17.
The second set ended with Black Hill State winning 29-27. The Eagles managed a temporary lead 6-4. But, the Yellow Jackets started 4-0 in the set and followed it up with six-score streak at 13-10.
The Yellow Jackets started the third set with another six-score streak and won 25-17. The Eagles did ensure chances in the fourth set, such as a five-score streak that put them ahead 11-9. However, Black Hills State ended a close set 25-23, to end the game.
Mullis said the team will need to focus on discipline going into the final two games.
“The fact that we competed and fought hard, I’m happy with that,” Mullis said, despite the loss.
The Eagles will play again Friday against Colorado Christian University and Saturday against Colorado School of Mines. Both games are home and will start at 6 p.m.