Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information
GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The no. 15 ranked Montana Western volleyball team (18-7, 8-4) broke their five-game win streak tonight after they fell 3-0 to the no. 14 ranked University of Providence (20-6, 9-3).
The Bulldogs struggled behind a .096 team hitting percentage, their lowest mark since losing to Carroll College back on Sept. 20.
How It Happened
The Bulldogs played tight with the Argos from the start of the first set and went on to take a 17-15 lead following a solo block from Peyton Vogl. The Bulldogs were unable to keep out in front though as the Argos came alive to outscore Western down the stretch and win 25-19.
The Argos kept the momentum heading into the second set, riding a 5-0 start and taking a 10-5 lead mid-set. Jazi Smith broke through the hot Argo start, knocking down a kill for UMW to spark a 5-0 run and tie the game at 11. Once again, the Bulldogs led at 19-18 late in the set, but Providence closed up shop by outscoring UMW 7-3 to win 25-22.
With hopes of keeping the game alive, the Bulldogs fought their way to a 19-15 lead in the third set. The Argos answered by recording three perfectly timed blocks to shut down the hopes of a fourth set for the Bulldogs and win the final set 25-22.
Notables
Western is now 4-6 with the Argos in their last 10 matchups and has an away record with the Argos of 6-23 in the series that began in 2001.
The Bulldogs were led by Smith with 12 kills and a pair of aces.
Danyel Martin totaled four blocks and six kills.
Kelsey Goddard led with 17 digs in the back row.
Up Next
Montana Western will regroup and return to the Straugh Gymnasium to take on MSU-Northern on Saturday Nov. 2 at 2 p.m.
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