GREAT FALLS, Mont. – After getting rocked in the first set, the #9 University of Providence volleyball team responded valiantly, taking down #17 Montana Tech in a thrilling five-set match Friday evening in the McLaughlin Center.

The Argos (19-2, 6-0) looked out of sync in the first set, getting trounced by the Orediggers (17-9, 3-3) 25-11. The team showed resilience however, responding by taking the next two sets, 25-18 and 25-16.

"We talk a lot about returning to your average level of play, but at some point you just have to bear down, let your grit show and just get a little pissed off," head coach Arunas Duda said. "Those girls, the determination and grit they have is pretty remarkable."

The Orediggers wouldn't go away either, taking the fourth set 25-21. In an intense fifth set, the Orediggers got out to an early lead, but the Argos rattled off six straight points to take an 11-7 lead, which helped them eventually take the game 15-10.

"I don't think we've been tested like that in awhile," Duda said. "Not that we haven't played good teams, but just that we haven't gone the distance in five sets in quite awhile. It was good for us to play that kind of a match. That's a huge win."

Sacha Legros had an exceptional game, recording 33 digs on the evening. Taylor Christensen also chipped in defensively, adding 16 digs while Sadie Lott recorded 15 digs and six blocks. Zoe Naugle led the way with seven blocks.

Offensively, Jenna Thorne led the attack with 15 kills, while Madysen Hoerner came off the bench and recorded 12. Cydney Finberg-Roberts recorded 35 assists and 16 digs on the night.

"After the first set, I thought defensively we started getting it going," Duda said. "Our blocking improved a little bit and we were able to redirect the ball a little bit better. Sacha really stepped up. She played a fantastic game and was just all over the place. Our two left sides played really well. Madysen coming off the bench did a really nice job and kind of asserted herself. Overall, we had some nice performances."

Olivia Murr recorded 14 kills for the Orediggers, while Karina Mickelson notched 13. McKenna Kaelber recorded 45 assists on the night. Sarah Hopcroft led the way defensively with 29 digs, while Sydney Parks recorded seven blocks.

The Argos will next take the court in a road contest against MSU-Northern next Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 7:00 p.m. in Havre, Mont.