UMW Sports Press Release
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - The Montana Western volleyball team (21-6) took the Frontier Conference Tournament Championship home as they defeated the RV Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears (21-12) in a five-set victory.
"I am so incredibly proud of this team and their perseverance throughout not only this match but the entire season," Head Coach Katie Lovett said. "They have show grit and determination in tough situations and today was no exception. Sky is the limit for this group. I also want to thank all of the alumni who have come through this program and helped build Bulldog Volleyball into what it is today."
How It Happened
The Bulldogs spent much of the first set chasing the Battlin Bears, falling to a 23-19 deficit in the game. Despite the tough haul, the Bulldogs put together a 6-0 scoring run to win the set that featured a pair of kills from Danyel Martin and a block from Martin and Jaiden Perez.
Rocky Mountain took another big jump over the Bulldogs in the second set, outhitting UMW .132 to .045 and winning the set 25-20.
The third set showed both team's determination, with neither team taking more than a three-point lead through the entire game. The two teams battled it out in extras with Rocky taking the set 28-26.
Down 15-9 in the fourth set, the Bulldogs rallied together to behind a block from Peyton Vogl and Jordan Olson and a service ace from Jazi Smith to bring the score back within three. The Bulldogs tied the game at 18 following a kill from Perez and went on to win the set as the Bulldogs wall at the net recorded three straight blocks.
Tied at 9 in the final frame, UMW rode a 5-0 scoring run that saw a pair of kills from Vogl and an ace from Kaylee Fritz. The Bulldogs closed the game on a kill from Olson to win the final set 15-10.
Notables
The Bulldogs win their first conference title since the 2002 season.
In a rematch of last season's Frontier Conference Tournament final, the Bulldogs were able to take down RMC.
Smith led the Bulldogs with 16 kills, 19 digs, and three aces.
Vogl was unstoppable at the net, posting nine blocks and 15 kills. She also surpassed 500 career kills in today's matchup.
Martin had 15 kills and two blocks.
Fritz added 30 assists and 16 digs.
Up Next
The Bulldogs receive the Frontier Conference automatic bid to the NAIA Volleyball Championships and will await the selection show that is scheduled for Monday Nov. 13 at 1pm MT.
