GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence volleyball team was well-represented in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Regional Awards that were released on Friday.

Cydney Finberg-Roberts was named the Northwest Region Setter of the Year for the second season in a row. She was one of four Argos, the most of any team in the region, named to the Northwest Regional Team, alongside Sacha Legros, Sadie Lott and Jenna Thorne. Head coach Arunas Duda was named the Co-Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. Dave Gantt was also recognized as the Assistant Coach of the Year. 

"It's awesome to see four girls make the All-Region team," Duda said. "It just shows how strong our program is becoming. It's a huge honor for those four girls on those achievements that represents what they have done all year. They earned every bit of that."

Finberg-Roberts was named the Regional Setter of the Year for the second season in a row. The returning 2^nd Team All-American and Regional Player of the Year had a dominant season for the Argos. She finished the year averaging 12.2 assists per set and broke her own single-season assist record by recording 1,164 assists. She was named the Frontier Conference Player of the Week six times on the year, the most of any player in the Frontier Conference. For her efforts, she was named the Frontier Conference Player of the Year for the second straight season.

"It's so well-deserved," Duda said. "She had a wonderful showing at Nationals. She's just been so consistent all year long. I can't think of a match where she didn't perform at her peak level. She's a kid that has all the intangibles, works her tail off for everything she gets and is just such an important asset to the team. It's another well-deserved honor for her."

Legros was recognized as a member of the Regional Team for the year in a row. The returning Honorable Mention All-American had a dominant season for the Argos, recording 6.32 digs per set and 664 total digs. She was named 1^st Team All-Conference for the second straight season and was named Player of the Week once this season. She also broke the program record for career digs midway through the season against Carroll.

"She's a kid that is in the running for Defender of the Year every season," Duda said. "She went to the National Tournament all five years of her collegiate career. That perfectly encapsulates what kind of competitor that she is. She's definitely vital to the success of our program. She's a great kid that you love to be around. She has meant so much for the success that we've had. She works so hard and deserves every bit of it."

Lott was also recognized as a member of the All-Region team for the second straight season. The returning Regional Freshman of the Year and Honorable Mention All-American is a six-rotation player for the team. She finished the season with 345 kills (3.29 kills per set), 334 digs (3.14 digs per set) and a 115 blocks. She was named 1^st Team All-Conference and was voted the team's Champion of Character.

"You watch our team and there's no doubt who one of our best hitters is," Duda said. "She's just so dynamic. Every good team that we've played this year, their main goal was trying to slow her down or stop her. She led us time and time again. Her defense was outstanding. She just means so much to us playing six rotations night in and night out."

Thorne was the fourth Argo member to be named to the All-Region team. The Frontier Conference Newcomer of the Year led the team with 362 kills and 3.45 kills per set. She was named 1^st Team All-Conference and won the Player of the Week award four times on the season.

"She's been huge for us," Duda said. "She came right in and in one of her first games had 28 kills in a big match against Eastern Oregon. Ever since then she's played consistently well. I know the bright lights at the National Tournament was something new for her but she did a good job there. She was a super consistent hitter for us all year long. She's also a great teammate. Everyone loves to be around her."

Duda was also recognized as the Co-Coach of the Region; he split the award with Corban coach Kim McLain. Duda led the team to the Great Eight for the first time in program history and amassed a program record 28 wins. He also broke the program winning-streak record, amassing 21 straight wins during the year. He led the team to an undefeated conference season, winning the conference regular season championship outright for the second year in a row and his fourth straight conference tournament championship.

"I definitely appreciate the recognition," Duda said. "Coaches work so hard and you want to give the kids all the honor but it is nice every once in awhile to get that recognition and see your name up there. I certainly am humbled by the coaches who voted for me. It's a cool recognition."

Gantt was also recognized as the top assistant coach of the year. The former Division I head coach brought a wealth of knowledge to the program that gave the team an edge throughout the season.

"Dave's been essential to the success of our program this year," Duda said. "He continually focused on getting us to improve every day in practice. He has so much volleyball knowledge so he's able to pick things apart very well. I learned a tremendous amount from him. He was a huge addition to the program this year."

The awards are a tangible demonstration of the level that Duda has brought the program too since he took over in 2004.

"We have come a long way," Duda said. "I remember teams used to come into our gym and leave the bus running because they knew they were going to be out of there quick. 18 years later we're competing for the finals. We wanted to put our school on the map and give ourselves some recognition. We're just so proud of this group and what they accomplished this year because it's not easy. We're proud of what we've done."