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Rocky Mountain College back atop Frontier thanks to defensive dominance

Bears lead conference in digs per set
Posted at 6:21 PM, Sep 30, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-30 20:36:38-04

BILLINGS — The Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears are atop the Frontier Conference volleyball standings once again, and they can thank their top-ranked defense for it.

Rocky ranks first in the conference in digs per set with 20.2, the only team above 20.

"It's really important, honestly, because that's where all of our offense starts," said outside hitter Naomi Bad Bear. "If the pass isn't there, the set struggles and you only have one or two options. But if the pass is there you have all three options."

"We've really focused on our defense being first in the conference," said all-conference setter Natalie Hilderman. "So, it's really important to us to get digs, to get kills. Like, we need a back row to even produce in the front row."

Rocky is only fourth in the conference in kills per set at 11.9, but is making the most of their opportunities, hitting .201 to lead the Frontier.

The Bears hit the road this week for two more conference matches, at the University of Providence Thursday and at Montana State University-Northern on Friday. Rocky's Ayla Embry and Natalie Hilderman were named Frontier Conference defender and setter of the week, respectively.