GREAT FALLS - Rolling in the first set and rallying from a 12-3 deficit in the third set, the Lewis-Clark State College women's volleyball team picked up its fifth straight sweep with a 25-9, 25-18, 25-22 win over the University of Great Falls in Frontier Conference play on Saturday afternoon.
The Warriors, ranked No. 11 in the NAIA, improved to 15-1 overall with their seventh straight win. LCSC is 6-0 in conference play and has won 18 of the 20 conference sets it has played in. LCSC also has 11 straight-set victories this season, including five in a row.
"We got off to a great start and hit .478 in the first set," LCSC coach Jen Greeny said. "And then we came back from a 12-3 deficit in the third game. We struggled early with our passing, but we fought back point by point and got the win."
Junior outside hitter Kelli Tikker had a match-high 12 kills and hit .375. She also finished with five digs. Teammate Jenika Bird-Jeppson had four kills, a .429 hitting percentage and three blocks, while junior middle blocker Nicole Graybeal finished with three blocks, four service aces and six digs.
In all, LCSC had nine blocks to just three for Great Falls. The Warriors also had an 8-3 advantage in service aces along with a .208 hitting percentage in the match to a negative-0.078 for the Argos.
"I think the team came in focused," Greeny said about the short turnaround after LCSC defeated Montana State-Northern in Havre Friday night and then caught a bus to Great Falls to play again on Saturday afternoon. "I think by the third set you could tell we were a little weary, but we had a nice rally and won."
Deddiy Alaimaleata and Lauryn Herrick finished with five kills apiece for the Warriors, while Herrick also had two service aces. Senior libero Katie Hinrichs had nine digs.
Great Falls is now 2-3 in league and 5-12 overall.
LCSC wraps up the first half of conference play next Friday in a 6 p.m. match against Westminster in Salt Lake City. In the second half of league play, LCSC will play five of its seven matches at home.
"I think we've been playing well but at the same time I don't think we've played our best," Greeny said. "The thing I'm pleased about is that it hasn't mattered too much whether we are playing home or away because we have been winning."
