PHOENIX, Ariz. – Day one in Phoenix went well for UGF volleyball with the Lady Argos taking two matches, both in straight sets.

The first match was a confident 25-13, 25-13, 26-24 win over host Arizona Christian. The UGF starters came out firing offensively in the first set, hitting .462 percent off of 15 kills and just three errors. The Argo defense also put in their usual strong defensive effort allowing only seven kills in the first set.

After such a resounding first set, head coach Arunas Duda went to his bench, starting four different players for the second set. The new rotation trailed off a bit offensively with just eight kills but played such stifling defense they finished with the same set score as the initial starters.

The anchor of that defense was libero Kennedy Chadwick, the lone UGF player to start all three sets. The junior finished with a team high of 11 digs and added two assists and two aces.

The third set was significantly closer. The Argo bench players needed two consecutive errors from Arizona Christian to come away with a 26-24 lead.

The leading scorer for Great Falls was freshman outside hitter Kateri Blodgette-Baker. Taking advantage of the extra court time, Baker accounted for eight points with team highs in kills, with six, and block assists, with four.

The second match was a bit more of a challenge with Dude going less often to his bench in a 25-18, 25-17, 25-21 win over Benedictine Mesa.

The match was exactly the type of contest the Lady Argos thrive in. Play was dictated and won by the better defense, particularly at the net. Middle blocker Tiffany Marks contributed five block assists to the Lady Argos 11 total blocks, as the team improved on its 2.38 blocks per set which ranks 14th nationally.

Marks also finished second on the team in kills with six, while senior right side hitter Kelsee Montagna led the team in that category with nine. Blodgette-Baker added another six kills against Benedictine, giving her a total of 12 on the day.

Chadwick again led the team in digs, adding 17 more to her day-long total while setter Dani Norling directed the offense well with 22 assists.

The two wins bring UGF's record to 18-7 (2-3). The team will play two more games in Phoenix on October 13. They play Embry-Riddle at 4 p.m. and Arizona Christian for the second time at 6:30 p.m.