(Editor's note: RMC Athletics release)
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Bouncing back from a pair of Saturday losses, No. 18 ranked Rocky Mountain College secured wins over Saint Xavier and Cornerstone University in the final day of the Cornerstone Classic Volleyball Tournament.
The Battlin' Bears began Saturday with a sweep of the Saint Xavier Cougars in 25-10, 25-19, and 25-21.
The Battlin' Bears gained momentum with a quick lead early in the first set. The Cougars battled back and drew within two at 6-4, but the Battlin' Bears closed the set out with a 19-6 run for the win. The Cougars never recovered as the Battlin' Bears took the next two sets to complete the sweep.
Monique Rodriguez led Rocky's scoring efforts with nine kills. Morgan Allen had seven kills with a .636 hitting percentage. Natalie Hilderman contributed 26 assists while Ayla Embry had 14 digs.
The Cougars were led by Nadia Atton's 14 kills while Colleen Corbett had 15 assists.
The Battlin' Bears closed out the tournament with a four set win over Cornerstone University in 21-25, 25-23, 25-17, and 25-23. Tied 18-18 in the first set, Cornerstone closed out the first set with a 7-3 run. Despite dropping the initial set, Rocky bounced back to take the next three sets and secure the win over the tournament host.
Three Battlin' Bears scored in the double digits. Miranda Gallagher posted a career-high 15 kills while Daniella Russell knocked down an additional 14. Allen had 10 kills and four of Rocky's eight blocks in the match. Hilderman recorded 44 assists and 15 digs. Embry led the defensive efforts with a team-high 31 digs.
Five Golden Eagles scored in the double digits with Bailey Cummings' 18 kills leading the way. Kayla Clark had 51 assists while Olivia Keelean recorded 27 digs.
Rocky will return home to Billings, Montana to play crosstown rival MSU-Billings on October 22.
