(Editor's note: University of Providence release)
GREAT FALLS -- In a matchup between two Frontier Conference heavyweights, the Battlin' Bears from Rocky Mountain College defeated the University of Providence Argos 3-0 (23-25, 21-25, 26-28).
#20 Providence (3-2, 13-3) remained tight in all three sets, but late runs propelled #18 Rocky Mountain (5-0, 13-5) to victory.
"It's just disappointing," head coach Arunas Duda said. "We were tied or had the lead towards the end in every set. It' just disappointing that we couldn't make plays and finish."
The loss marks the second straight home loss for the Argos, who previously lost to #16 Montana Tech on Oct. 19.
"We've got to defend our home court a little bit better," Duda said. "I just feel we have nerves or too much anxiety, I don't know what it is. But with a big crowd and a lot of people here and we just do not come out and perform the way we know we can. It's a little disappointing."
Kelsey Shaver, who leads the Frontier Conference in kills, recorded 18 more on the night with a .267 hitting percentage. She also recorded a team high 22 digs. Averi Dyer also contributed 21 digs while Sacha Legros recorded 19. Ember Schwindt had a solid match, recording seven kills and four blocks. Renae Davis recorded 24 assists and Cydney Finberg-Roberts had 16.
Duda is hoping the loss motivates them to go on another winning streak, beginning on Saturday when the Argos have another home match against Montana-Western at 2 p.m. After the Montana Tech loss, the Argos rattled off three straight sweeps on the road.
"They bounced back incredibly well last time," Duda said. "This is exactly what we need to get right back on the court. So I'm excited about the opportunity to bounce back on Saturday. I'm excited about the opportunity for our girls to work through some of those things that they struggled with tonight and hopefully we'll see a different outcome.
"We were right there with that team in every set. We know we have the opportunity to correct some of those errors and do better the next time we face them. All we can do is look forward to those opportunities and keep working forward on the things we didn't do well."
