GREAT FALLS, MONT. -- The University of Providence volleyball program continues their season with another road trip. On Sept. 1 the Argos will play their first match at the at the CSM Labor Day Classic at 11:00am (MST) in Sioux City, Iowa. UP will play four total matches at the United Sports Academy with the first two against Mount Mercy University and #4 Viterbo University on Sept. 1. On Sept. 2 they face #3 Northwestern College and #12 College of Saint Mary.
Head Coach
Arunas Duda stated, "We are extremely pleased with how we have started the year and the recent NAIA poll. However, we are very aware of the significant challenges ahead of us. This weekend pairs us up with 3 teams in the top 12 and the fourth team is currently not ranked but is 6-0 on the year, so we have our work cut out for us. Our focus is not on the wins and losses, but rather we are paying close attention to the process and improving each and every day. Our goal is to get better with each match we play and therefore, playing top competition will prepare us best for a difficult conference schedule ahead. I am excited to see how the girls will continue to battle against the best in the country this weekend!"
Last Time Out
The Argos went 2-1 at the Magic Island Hawai'I Classic in Honolulu, Hawai'i. They started their trip off winning their first six sets in a row defeating Oregon Tech and Truett McConnell University. In the final game at The Shark Tank the Argos lost a five-set thriller to Benedictine University at Mesa. Since starting the season 6-1 the Argos were left off the first NAIA coaches top 25 poll but received votes ranking them at 28
th in the country.
Stat Leaders
The Argos have spread the ball around so far this season with juniors
Mady Hoerner and
Nina Janjic having 72 and 71 kills, respectively. 72 kills for Hoerner places her 77
th in the NAIA and 71 for Janjic places her at 80
th. UP also has two setters in the top 75 for assists with junior
Nati Slazynska leading the way with 150 assists and sophomore
Bella Thompson adding 130 as well. 150 assists places Slazynska at 45
th in the NAIA and Thompson ranks 69
th with 130. Defensively, junior
Taylor Christensen has tallied 116 digs placing her 32
nd in the NAIA. Redshirt freshman
Cabry Taylor and senior
Zoe Naugle have 30 and 28 total blocks placing them 19
th and 24
th in the NAIA.
Opponents
Mount Mercy University went 3-0 last weekend at the Briar Cliff Tournament bringing their season record to a spotless 6-0. The Mustangs have won three five-set matches this season against Trinity Christian, Mount Marty, and Briar Cliff.
Viterbo University was ranked #4 in the first regular season NAIA coaches top 25 rankings. The V-Hawks are 7-1 so far this season with their lone loss coming against #7 Missouri Baptist in straight sets. Viterbo has already defeated four top 25 teams and outside hitter Kenzie Winker is fifth in the NAIA with 123 kills.
Northwestern College was ranked #3 in the first regular season NAIA coaches top 25 rankings. The Raiders are yet to drop a set this season, winning all five of their matches 3-0. Outside hitter Jazlin De Haan is currently fourth in the NAIA with 4.69 kills per set.
College of Saint Mary was ranked #12 in the first regular season NAIA coaches top 25 rankings. The Flames are 7-1 so far losing their season opener to #1 Eastern Oregon 3-1. Defensive specialist Rachel Cushing is sixth in the NAIA with 165 digs.
Follow the Argos
Game one on Sept. 1 begins at 11:00 a.m. versus Mount Mercy University, game two begins at 3:00 p.m. versus Viterbo University, the third game on Sept. 2 begins at Noon against Northwestern College, and the fourth and final game starts at 6:00 p.m. versus the College of Saint Mary. All times are in MST and all games will be live streamed at this link:
https://www.ballertv.com/events/labor-day-classic-2023
