HELENA, Mont. – UGF blocks and Montana Tech errors defined the Lady Argos 3-0 (25-13, 25-23, 25-22) win in the first round of the Frontier Conference Tournament against Montana Tech.

With each match the two teams have played against each other, this being the third, the Lady Argos have become more and more dominant. Back on October 3 UGF won in 5. Three weeks later, they won in four sets. In the playoffs, it only took three.

"Our girls have been very focused since the minute we left Great Falls," said UGF head coach Arunas Duda. "They are determined to have a great tournament."

The first set was all Argos, as they established early on their defensive prowess. MTT managed to convert just seven of their 26 attacks into kills and gave UGF six points off of hitting errors. On the other side, the Argos showcased a steady and comparatively efficient attack with a hitting percentage of .292.

While UGF's offense stayed at a similar level in the second set, the Digger's offense appeared to have figured out, to a degree, the Argo's defense. MTT doubled their kill total in the set but couldn't quite overcome the offense of senior hitters Gabby Bienkowski and All-Conference right-side Kelsee Montagna, who won the set with a kill.

The third set was close throughout and saw UGF trailing 15-13. That quickly changed after two hitting errors from MTT that were forced by the Argo's net defense. Montagna and junior outside hitter Madisen Wilhelm earned crucial kills down the final stretch but five of the final seven combined points came off of hitting or service errors. Wilhelm, an All-Conference Team member, finished the match with a kill.

"We came out strong today and blocked extremely well throughout the match," Duda, said. "I was impressed with how we were able to weather Tech's runs and keep focused to close out sets."

Duda's squad finished with 12 teams blocks to MTT's one. Montagna, along with middle blockers Devon Bogart and Tiffany Marks, combined for four solo blocks, and 13 block assists.

Montagna led UGF with 15 kills and only three errors to go with her six block assists and six digs. Wilhelm led the team with 13 digs and finished just behind Montagna in kills, with 13.

Sophomore setter Dani Norling played a versatile role for the Lady Argos, accounting for 37 of the team's 41 assists while totaling seven digs, two kills, one block assist, and one ace.

Great Falls advances to the Frontier Conference semi-finals with the win. Who their opponent will be is dependent on the next two matches of the tournament. Both semi-final matches will be played on Saturday, November 14 in Helena, Mont.

"We are just excited to play against tomorrow and I know this team will bring their best against whatever team we end up playing," Duda said.