Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information
HAVRE, Mont. – After going up 2-0 in the opening sets of the Frontier Conference Tournament Championship match, the no. 19 ranked Montana Western fell 3-2 in a tough battle with the no. 13 ranked University of Providence.
Jazi Smith led the Bulldogs in the effort, totaling 16 kills and 23 digs in the match.
How It Happened
The University of Providence started with strong energy, taking a 3-0 lead to start. Danyel Martin and Peyton Vogl led the charge offensively, combining for three kills that got the Bulldogs on the board and into the fight. After a block from Jordan Olson and Vogl gave the Bulldogs a 13-10 lead, the Argos would capitalize on errors to match the score back at 13. Despite the tie game, Western wasted little time in claiming control of the set as they went on to outscore the Argos 12-6 to win the opening frame 25-19.
Western continued to ride the wave into the second frame, easily running on to a 20-9 lead. A pair of Bulldog hitting errors helped the Argos begin to reclaim some momentum. The Bulldogs clung to their built-up lead to finish the set up 25-18 and take a 2-0 lead.
The third was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading points throughout and taking jabs at each other on short runs throughout. Montana Western kept things tight with their aggressive offense, but the Argos refused to go down without a fight and managed to force a fourth frame after winning 26-24.
Western came out in the fourth set like a much different team, struggling behind 15 hitting errors and a -.217 hitting percentage as the Argos easily took a 25-9 win to force a fifth set.
After a tough fourth set, the Bulldogs battled hard to regroup in the fifth set. They fell to a 13-6 deficit before things began to click. With help from the net by Martin and Smith, the Bulldogs brought it within three at 14-11 but it was too little too late as the Argos finished off the game up 15-11.
Notables
The Bulldogs had another notable serving performance in the game, serving up six aces in the game as a team. They were led by Kaylee Fritz who had three total.
Martin totaled 12 kills and four blocks in the effort.
Taylor Petersen and Fritz combined for 43 assists in the game, good for 8.6 assists per set.
Madisyn Frazier and Kelsey Goddard combined for 48 digs in the game.
Up Next
The Bulldogs now await an at-large berth to the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Tournament. The selection show is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 18.
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