Jason Walker, UP Sports Information Director 

Great Falls, Mont. - For the first time in five years, the University of Providence is 0-2 in Frontier Conference volleyball play and will try to snap that streak Friday night when the Argos play at Montana Western. Providence (7-13, 0-2) is coming off a second straight 3-1 loss after dropping its match at MSU-Northern Wednesday night.  

A service error on set point in the first game cost the Argos a chance to take an early lead and that seemed to deflate the team a bit. The Skylights went on to claim the first two sets and eventually the match. Providence now turns its attention quickly to a Bulldog squad that beat the Argos in straight sets just two weeks ago and is looking to even their overall record at 9-9. UMW had won eight consecutive matches before falling in the last two, including a 5-set loss at Carroll College to start league play last week. Jazi Smith and Kaylee Kopp lead the Bulldogs with 158 and 157 kills, respectively. Each had eight kills in the win over the Argos in Billings at the Frontier preview tournament with Jordan Olson leading the way with 12.  

Providence will continue to lean on Jenna Thorne and Zoe Naugle Friday and breakthrough against a Bulldog team that shut down the Argos two weeks ago with solid defense. Since that loss, Naugle has established herself as not only a solid hitter, but also a threat defensively. The junior from Castle Rock, Wash., is nearing the 100-block plateau in 2022.  

Head Coach Arunas Duda says it is time to get back to the process, "We will have to reset quickly as we are on the road again against a tough and gritty Western team. We need to refocus on our process and be more consistent with our effort, energy, and mindset. 

Friday night's match starts at 6 PM and will be live streamed with live stats available at www.upargos.com.