GREAT FALLS, Mont. -- The Evergreen State College volleyball team took a set from the undefeated University of Providence squad on Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Providence Tournament, but the Geoducks were unable to rally from a 2-0 deficit. Providence upped its record to 7-0 with a 3-1 win. The Argos prevailed 25-15, 25-11, 21-25, 25-11.

Providence has lost just five sets in its first five matches. Evergreen fell to 0-3 on the season, with two losses to the Argos.

In Saturday's match, Lucendy Perez (Sr., OH) provided a team-high eight kills for the Evergreen offense and also earned 16 digs. Molly Packer (Jr., DS/L) continued her strong play with a season-high 25 digs for the Geoducks.

Evergreen amassed 18 assisted blocks (9.0 team total blocks). Kiayah Brown (Sr., MB) led the way with eight assisted blocks. Yasmin Dilworth (Sr., OH) added four assisted blocks and Ashley Walker (Jr., OPP) helped reject three attacks. Walker also supplied five kills.

Jessica Mitchell (Jr., S) of Evergreen was credited with 14 set assists. Maloree Calzadillas (Sr., S) tacked on 12 assists.

Providence was paced by Martyna Fiedler and Bella Green, each with eight kills. Sadie Lott and Nina Janjic both recorded seven kills. The Argos hit .224 as a team to offset the strong blocking by the Geoducks. Evergreen held Providence to a .160 hitting percentage during the Geoducks' win in the third.

Ava Saiers contributed a match-high 28 digs for the Argos. Bella Thompson earned 39 assists.

The Argos scored the first five points of the match and grabbed a 9-4 lead. Evergreen moved within 10-7 after a combo block by Brown and Sophia Scroggins (So., OPP/MB) followed by a Providence attacking error. Providence extended the margin to 17-9, and the Geoducks got as close as 20-14 before losing the set, 25-15. In the second set, the Argos surged out to an 8-3 lead and maintained control.

Things were different in the third set, as Evergreen led 8-7 after a kill by Perez, and the action was close until the final points. An ace by Perez gave the Geoducks a 12-9 lead, and later Evergreen held a 16-12 edge. Providence tied the score at 16, 17, and 18 before the Geoducks went on a 5-1 run for a 23-18 advantage. Bright Brubaker (Fr., OPP), Perez, and Brown each produced a kill during the run. The Argos reduced the margin to 23-20, but Evergreen won two of the next three points for a 25-21 victory.

The fourth set began with an 8-0 run by the Argos, who eventually led 12-3. Providence kept a sizable lead to clinch the match.

Evergreen will take on Montana State University Northern on Saturday afternoon to complete the University of Providence Tournament. Game time was scheduled for 3 p.m. MDT/2 p.m. PDT.