BILLINGS, Mont. -- The University of Providence volleyball program defeated Rocky Mountain College 3-1 in a hard-fought conference matchup Thursday night.  

In the first set against the Battlin' Bears (9-5) neither side could gain a lead by more than two until the Argos (11-2) scored seven straight behind three kills from junior Ryann Eddins. Rocky would bring the set within two, but kills from sophomore Cabry Taylor and junior Sadie Giles secured the opening set for UP 25-19.

In set two Rocky Mountain College jumped out to an early 10-5 lead and would not look back as the Battlin' Bears took the second set 25-17.

The third set saw both teams trade runs early resulting in a tie at 13. Kills from senior Nina Janjic and Eddins gave UP a 21-17 lead and the Argos would maintain that edge the rest of the way taking the third set 25-21.

In the fourth set kills from junior Franny Martins and Eddins gave UP an early 6-3 lead. UP would continue their momentum with kills from Janjic and Taylor to extend their lead out to five. The Battlin' Bears would storm back late to tie the match at 21, but kills from Janjic and Taylor secured the final set for UP 26-24 and the match 3-1.

Janjic led the way for UP with 18 kills and Taylor and Eddins each added 11. Junior setter Bella Thompson  had 43 assists and junior Sadie Giles and senior Ava Saiers added 29 and 25 digs, respectively.

The Argos are back in action Sept. 21 when they host #13 Montana Western. Gametime is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Great Falls, Mont. at the Mclaughlin Center.