BUTTE, Mont. -- The University of Providence volleyball program cruised to another pair of victories at the Big Sky Challenge on Friday defeating Our Lady of the Lake University 3-2 and Embry-Riddle 3-0.

In the first set against Our Lady of the Lake University (0-1) junior Bella Thompson started the Argos (3-0) off strong scoring the first point via an ace. Both sides would go back and forth until seven straight from Our Lady of the Lake put the Saints ahead 17-11. UP was able to bring the match within two late but were unable to close the gap dropping the first set 25-21.

In set two the Saints jumped out to an early lead scoring eight of the first ten points. The Argos would respond scoring 11 of the next 13 points behind four kills from sophomore Martyna Fiedler to take an 11-9 lead. UP would continue their momentum scoring five of the next seven behind three straight kills from senior Nina Janjic. Four straight points would shorten the Argo lead, but a kill from sophomore Ella Cochran secured the second set 25-19.

In the third set the Saints got out to a 10-5 lead but the Argos would not go away scoring five of the next six to bring the score within one. There would be seven ties the rest of the way until four points in a row for Our Lady of the Lake gave the Saints the third set 25-21.

The fourth set was neck and neck throughout with neither side gaining a lead by more than three in its entirety. With the match tied at 24 the Argos and Saints would trade points back and forth until kills from sophomore Cabry Taylor and junior Ryann Eddins put the Argos over the top 35-33.

Despite having all the momentum, the Argos were down three early until five straight points off kills from Janjic, Taylor, and Fiedler put the Argos ahead 10-6. The Saints would add late pressure, but it was not enough as Argos took the fifth set 15-8 and the match 3-2. Taylor and Janjic led the way with 16 kills each and Bella Thompson added 56 assists and 12 digs.

In the final match of the Big Sky Challenge the Argos (4-0) were able to get out to an early 4-3 lead behind kills from Taylor and Janjic, but both teams would go back and forth the rest of the way until the set was tied at 21. UP was able to score four of the last five points and a kill from junior Bella Green put the Eagles away 25-22.

The Argos jumped out to an early 9-3 lead in the second set, and despite bringing the match within two, UP pulled away to take the second set 25-16.

In set three the Argos continued to roll scoring seven of the first nine points. Embry-Riddle would respond to bring the set within one, but nine straight points from UP was too much as the Argos won the set 25-11 and the match 3-0. Janjic led the way with 12 kills and Lott and Green each added nine.

The Argos are back in action Aug. 23-24 for The Gibson Hotel Volleyball Classic sponsored by Holiday Motor Coach in Great Falls, Mont. All games will take place in the McLaughlin Center.