SURPRISE, Ariz. – The #10 University of Providence volleyball team went 1-1 at the Ottawa University Arizona Triangular Tournament on Friday in Surprise, Ariz.

The Argos (8-2) fell to #12 Bellevue in three sets (23-25, 22-25, 23-25) in the first game of the day, before rallying to beat OUA in five sets (25-27, 25-18, 20-25, 25-16, 15-13), giving the Spirit their first loss of the season.

In the first game against the Bruins (7-1), the Argos got off to a quick start in the first set, jumping out to a 17-11 lead. The Bruins fought back though, at one point scoring six straight points to eventually win the first set. Though the Argos fought valiantly, they couldn't take a set from the Bruins, falling 3-0. All three games were decided by less than three points. 

"We came out pretty strong and took it to them right away, but they're the type of team that's not going to go away," head coach Arunas Duda said. "We just had a hard time finishing all day. We dropped each set by a couple of points. It's a matter of doing one or two things a little bit better."

Lott led the team offensively against the Bruins with 11 kills. Cydney Finberg-Roberts recorded a total of 30 assists. Defensively, Sacha Legros led the way with 14 digs, while Zoe Naugle recorded five blocks.

The Argos knew that things wouldn't get any easier against the undefeated Spirit, who are receiving votes in the NAIA National Poll. They responded accordingly, jumping out to a quick 13-7 lead. The Spirit then scored five straight points, eventually taking the first set 25-27. 

The Argos didn't waver however, responding with a 25-18 second set win. The two teams split the next two sets, setting up a dramatic finish. The teams traded the first ten points of the final set, before the Argos won three straight to make it 8-5. The Spirit came back, tying it up at 13. The Argos scored the next two points, winning on an ace from Adysen Burns. It was the first loss that the Spirit had suffered on the year. 

"We came out strong again in that match," Duda said. "We gave up a bunch points in a row and lost that first set. It was demoralizing and I think it got the girls back in their heads a bit. But credit them for pushing through. At that point it would have been easy to fold. The girls definitely came out strong the rest of the match."

Madysen Hoerner led the way for the Argos offensively, recording a season-high 23 kills. Jenna Thorne added 13 kills for the Argos. Finberg-Roberts recorded 52 assists on the night, while Legros contributed 31 digs. The squad recorded a season-high 28 blocks, nine of which came from Lott.

The team will have to recover quickly. The Argos will take a trip up north to Prescott, Ariz. on Saturday to take on Embry-Riddle, another team who is receiving votes in the NAIA National Poll. The game will begin at 5:00 p.m. MTN.

"We need to rest," Duda said. "We need to come out with that killer instinct tomorrow. Hopefully that'll carry us through."