Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Honolulu, Hawai'i -- The University of Providence volleyball program finished the Magic Island Hawai'i Classic 2-1 after defeating Truett McConnell University in straight sets and suffering their first loss of the season versus Benedictine University at Mesa 3-2.

The Argos (6-1) got out to an early 5-1 lead in the first set behind kills from sophomore Ryann Eddins, redshirt freshman Cabry Taylor, and junior Kalamela Liua. The Bears would tighten up the match, bringing it to 14-12 before UP scored six of the next seven points to extend their lead to eight. Despite TMU making a late run the Argos were able to secure the first set behind a block by Taylor and a kill by Liua. Junior Nati Slazynska added eight assists in the first set.

The second set saw the Bears jump out to 4-0 lead before the Argos would storm back to tie the score at six. The game would go back and forth with five more ties before UP was able to get any breathing room jumping out to a 14-11 lead. UP would maintain a small cushion until TMU came storming back to regain the lead 23-22. Both teams would trade points until the Argos scored three straight behind kills by Janjic and Hoerner to take the second set 27-25.

The third set started back and forth until the Argos scored four straight behind a kill by Hoerner and an ace by junior Taylor Christensen to take the 7-5 lead. No team gained a lead greater than two until UP scored six straight to go ahead 16-10. The Argos were able to maintain their lead to take the third set 25-22 behind a kill by Taylor.

Hoerner led the way in match one for the Argos with 10 kills and Liua added seven of her own. Slazynska had 20 assists and defensively sophomore Bella Thompson led the way with 10 digs. Senior Zoe Naugle and Taylor also each had a solo block in the victory over the bears.

In game two Benedictine University at Mesa (6-0) started off the match scoring the first seven points in a row to go ahead 7-0. The RedHawks would maintain control the rest of the set taking it 25-18.

The second set was back and forth but the RedHawks would score five unanswered to take a 15-12 lead. That cushion would be enough for Benedictine Mesa University as they would take the set second set 25-20.

In the third set the Argos got out to an early 6-1 lead causing the RedHawks to take a timeout. UP would keep rolling and score six straight points later in the set to extend their lead to 20-10. Both teams would trade points until a kill by Naugle and an ace by Liua would put away the RedHawks in the third set 25-16.

The fourth set saw neither team gain a lead larger than two until the Argos jumped out in front 12-7 after a Hoerner kill and block assist with Taylor. The RedHawks would come storming back bringing it within one, but the Argos would answer by scoring four straight to make it 20-15. Benedictine University Mesa would not go quietly, scoring eight of next 10 points to take the lead 23-22. Both sides would trade points until a kill by Eddins led to the Argos taking the fourth set 26-24.

The fifth set had seven ties and neither team had a lead greater than two throughout. Despite kills by Janjic and Eddins to make it 14-14 the RedHawks would score the next two points to take the set 16-14 and the match 3-2. Eddins led all players with 16 kills and Thompson added 23 assists for UP. Hoerner and Janjic were both named to the all-tournament team after producing 31 and 29 kills, respectively. 

The Argos are back in action next weekend when they head to Sioux City, Iowa for the CSM Labor Day Classic. They will play two games on Friday, Sept. 1 and two games on Saturday, Sept. 2.