HELENA, Mont. – The University of Providence volleyball program had seven members earn all-conference honors Monday. Seniors Nina Janjic, Ava Saiers, juniors Bella Thompson, Sadie Giles, sophomore Cabry Taylor, and head coach Arunas Duda and assistant coach Sacha Simmons were recognized for their outstanding 2024 seasons. 

Head coach Arunas Duda on the all-conference honors stated, "This has been an amazing year for Providence Volleyball.  Our journey started last spring when our girls rededicated themselves and worked incredibly hard every day towards a higher goal.  The love and chemistry that these girls share is absolutely tremendous and has shown up on the court when we need it most. This is truly a special group and I'm so excited to see what else we can accomplish with our time together!"

Thompson was named the Frontier Conference Player of the Year, Frontier Conference Setter of the Year, and was a first team all-conference selection. Bella was the Frontier Conference setter of the week nine times this season and is #2 in the NAIA in assists per set with 11.51. Bella also set a new program record for the most assists in a single season with 1,243 so far this season.

Janjic is a right-side hitter from Novi Sad, Serbia and was named first team all-conference. Janjic tallied 309 kills to average 3.68 per set while hitting .335. Nina was a first team selection in 2023 as well and was the Frontier Conference attacker of the week six times in 2024.

Giles was named first team all-conference in her first season back on the court since 2022. Sadie was fourth on the team in kills and second in digs while playing all six spots. Giles was named the defender of the week twice by the Frontier Conference in 2024 and is a two-time All-American. 

Taylor is a middle-blocker from White Sulphur Springs, Mont. and was a first team all-conference selection. Taylor is #4 in the NAIA in blocks per set and led the conference in both total blocks and blocks per set. Cabry was named to the all-freshman team in 2024.

Saiers is from Valley Springs, Calif. and was named the Frontier Conference Newcomer of the Year. Ava led the Argos in digs and was third in the conference with 5.7 digs per set.

Sacha Simmons was an All-American for the Argos and is the all-time record holder for digs and digs per set. Simmons, earning assistant coach of the year for the second time in three seasons stated, "It's such an honor, we have such a tough conference with great coaches all around that receiving this award is that much more meaningful. I am so thankful to Coach Duda who has been the best mentor I could have asked for. I feel very fortunate to be able to learn from one of the best.  The girls have also made my job easier this season, they have been so dedicated and hard working throughout this whole process on and off the court. I love what I do, and I am excited that our job isn't close to being done!"

Head Coach Arunas Duda was named the Frontier Conference Head Coach of the Year after leading the team to a Frontier Conference regular season and tournament title. Duda is the program leader in wins and was inducted into the Argo Athletics Hall of Fame in October of 2024. Duda stated, "I am extremely honored to be selected as the coach of the year in a season where I believe our conference teams competed at the highest level I have witnessed in my career.  This award is because of my players and staff who are absolutely amazing to work with on a daily basis. Their hunger, work ethic, and character are everything a coach could ever ask for and it has resulted in so many amazing memories this season."

The Argos are back in action Saturday, Nov. 23 when they host the University of Cumberlands for the first round of the NAIA National Championships.