Jason Walker, UP Sports Information Director 

Havre, Mont. - It was a successful weekend at the Frontier/North Star Crossover for the University of Providence volleyball team after the Argos went 3-1 over the course of two days. Coming off a Labor Day win at Arizona Christian, confidence had returned to a team that had struggled out of the gate. With wins over Presentation College, Mayville State and Dickinson State, Providence took a four-match win streak into the finale Saturday with Valley City State. A hard-fought battle ended with the Argos dropping the match, 25-20, 20-25, 25-23, 18-25, 13-15.  

Jenna Thorne paced the way with 21 kills, 14 digs, while Taylor Christensen led the Argos with 31 digs. Zoe Naugle chipped in 9 kills; Jensyn Turner added 7 with Bella Thompson serving up 49 assists. Thorne tallied 73 total kills in the four matches overall and Thompson totaled 158 assists. Head coach Arunas Duda says winning four of the last five matches was great for overall mentality, "I definitely think the team is understanding what it takes to close out sets and finish strong. Seeing the results after a few weeks of us as coaches preaching to them has helped as well. We look forward to continuing the process of getting where we want to be at the end of the year." 

Speaking on the play of Thorne, Duda adds that she has taken the mantle of being the go-to hitter, "Jenna has really stepped up the last few matches and continues to get better. When the defense is digging and passing well, and the setters put up clean balls it helps all our hitters. We have been playing cleaner as a team and the last week has shown that." 

Providence (5-10) will get its first look at Frontier Conference opponents across the net next weekend when the Argos travel to the Frontier Preseason Tournament in Billings. The Argos will face Montana Western Thursday, Carroll College and Rocky Mountain College on Friday before facing MSU-Northern Saturday afternoon. Follow all of Providence athletics all season long at www.upargos.com.