Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Jason Walker, UP Sports Information Director
Billings, Mont. - Compared to Thursday, Friday was a complete 180 for the Providence volleyball team. After being swept by Montana Western on the first day of the Frontier Conference Preseason Tournament, the Argos showed resilience and confidence on day two. Providence went 1-1 on the day picking up a five-set win over Carroll College, before falling to host Rocky Mountain College in four later in the evening.
In the first match win over the Saints, the Argos used 20 kills from Jenna Thorne, 17 from Adysen Burns while getting four different players added 20 or more digs. Providence jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Carroll bounced back to take the third and fourth sets. The Argos fell behind 5-4 before rolling off seven consecutive points to take control and close out the match 25-23, 25-23, 19-25, 24-26, 15-9 to improve to 3-2 in five-setters this season.
Burns was credited with 23 digs, Thorne had 20 as did Bella Thompson and Taylor Christensen continued her strong defense with a team high 25 digs. Head Coach Arunas Duda says it was an impressive win, "I could not be prouder of the way our team showed up to compete. We kept our cool, we were consistent and competed through every play. We still have to find a way to close out a match when we are up 2-0, but Carroll played well, and we found a way in the fifth."
Duda was also quick to praise the play of Burns, a senior from Yakima, Wash., "Adysen was incredible today leading our team to a high level while Taylor had a great defensive performance. Bella (Thompson) had good balls to set (49 assists) and we were also more balanced in our attack and really got our middles going."
Elizabeth Heuiser had a team high 15 kills for the Saints with Hannah Schweikert and Julia Carr each tallying 21 digs. Providence outhit the Saints .147 to .129 and had 62 kills to Carroll's 52.
In the nightcap against the Battlin' Bears, the Argos had chances in the first and third sets to get the victory but Rocky had an answer taking the match in four sets. Providence won the second set but once again, the inability to close out leads came between a 2-0 day and a 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 25-12 loss.
Thorne once again had a double-double with 15 kills and 21 digs. Burns and Bailey Christensen each had 10 kills with Taylor Christensen once again leading the team with 27 digs. Thompson dished out 42 assists.
Bella Bryan had a team high 14 kills and just one error for Rocky while hitting a match high .351. The score was close throughout and Duda says the Argos had chances, "In the second match, we certainly had our chances. We were point for point and although we lost the match, we sustained our high level of play throughout. It was a lot of fun, and you can see how much we have improved. This was a good step forward in our progress and improvement."
Providence (6-11) will close out the Frontier preseason tourney Saturday when the Argos take on MSU-Northern at 3 pm at the Fortin Center. To watch the match and view live stats, visit www.upargos.com.
