GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence volleyball team looks to extend their six-game winning this weekend when they take on their rival Carroll in a double-header.

The Argos (8-2, 8-2) split their games with the Fighting Saints (7-3, 7-3) when the two teams met to start the season back in January. The Argos won in four sets in the opening game before falling in a thrilling five-set match the second game.

"It seems like we always go five with them," head coach Arunas Duda said. "It's a good healthy rivalry. It's fun to play them. They're a high-energy team, they're stacked from top to bottom."

The two matches also have big implications for the Frontier Conference standings. At the halfway point in the season, Rocky Mountain sits a top the standings at 9-1, the Argos are a game back at 8-2, and the Fighting Saints are a game behind them at 7-3.

"We know it's going to be a battle going into it," Duda said. "Whenever you approach a match and you know it's going to be a battle, it's always fun to me. I'd much rather prepare for an opponent that you know it's going to be one of those point-for-point, battle all night long type of situations. The girls are excited about it."

The Argos have had a multi-faceted attack this season. Four-time Frontier Conference Setter of the Week Cydney Finberg-Roberts leads the conference in assists per set (11.5) and total sets (484), and has done a nice job of distributing the ball around. Freshman Sadie Lott also leads the conference in kills per set (4.0) and kills (166) and is third in hitting percentage (.260). Setter turned middle blocker Renae Davis is also fourth in the conference in hitting percentage at .210.

The Argos have really hung their hat on their defensive play, which is led by libero Sacha Legros. She is currently tied for first in the conference at 7.4 digs and is second in total digs at 411. Lott is also a major factor defensively, ranking 6^th in total digs in the conference.

"We're certainly not a very good blocking team which has forced us to play better defense," Duda said. "We have a lot of really quick, gritty defenders. We have kids that have great court sense, they understand the game very well. They understand the positioning and where to put themselves or make plays. Our defense has been a really bright spot for us this first half."

The two teams will face off against each other on Friday at 7 p.m. followed by a game on Saturday at 1 p.m. No fans are permitted into the stands due to the Frontier Conference's No Spectator Policy, but the game will be live streamed for free at www.upargos.com.