(Editor's note: RMC Athletics release)
BELLEVUE, Neb. – Recovering from an afternoon loss to Morningside College, Rocky Mountain College defeated the No. 3 ranked Grand View Vikings during the 2019 Sarpy County Labor Day Volleyball Classic.
The Morningside Mustangs (6-0) swept the No. 13 ranked Battlin' Bears (6-4) Friday afternoon in 25-20, 27-25, and 25-11.
The Battlin' Bears were led by Daniella Russell's 13 kills. Naomi Bad Bear had an additional nine. Natalie Hilderman posted contributed 29 assists and 11 digs. Ayla Embry led the team in digs with 17.
The Mustangs' leading scorer this season, Krista Zenk, knocked down 17 kills while recording 11 digs. Setter Callier Alberico recorded 39 assists and 11 digs.
Rocky quickly recovered from the early loss to down the No. 3 team in the nation, the Grand View Vikings (5-4) a few hours later.The Battlin' Bears prevailed 13-25, 25-18, 27-25, 17-25, and 15-12.
It was a tough initial set. The Battlin' Bears couldn't find momentum early and lost by 12. Those struggles quickly disappeared as the Battlin' Bears caught fire and took the next two sets in 25 18 and 27-25. The Vikings rallied in the fourth set to force a final decisive fifth frame. It was there that Rocky completed the sweep with a 15-12 set win.
Three Battlin' Bears scored in the double digits. Russell had 15 kills and seven digs. Morgan Allen recorded a career best 11 kills and four blocks. Monique Rodriguez knocked down 10 kills of her own.
Natalie Hilderman's 39 assists counts as the most in match for the junior so far this season.
Ayla Embry recorded 32 digs while Annie Cooke pulled in 23.
The Viking's Emily Box had 32 kills on the night. The pair of Alexa Aldrich-Ingram and Miranda Greathouse each recorded double-doubles for Grand View. Aldrich-Ingram had 13 kills and 14 digs. Greathouse had 13 kills and 27 digs.
The Battlin' Bears will finish the tournament tomorrow with a pair of matches against nationally ranked teams. They will play the No. 25 ranked Ottawa Braves at 1 p.m. CT before taking on the No. 7 ranked Dordt Defenders at 5 p.m.
