GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The No. 21 Rocky Mountain College volleyball team lost its hold on the top spot in the Frontier Conference with a tough five-set loss at the University of Providence on Saturday night.
 
Rocky Mountain (18-9, 7-2 Frontier) held a 2-1 lead in the match before Providence (17-8, 4-4) won the final two sets by the two-point minimum to earn the 22-25, 25-18, 17-25, 25-23, 16-14 victory.
 
The Battlin' Bears weren't able to keep up with the offensive effort of the home team. The Argos had a 69-58 advantage in kills despite Rocky recording a season-high 17 blocks. Rocky hit just .144 and they had 89 digs and four service aces.
 
Sydney Matheny led Rocky with 15 kills and nine blocks. She hit .257 in recording her fifth double-digit kill effort of the season with a season-high total.
 
Olivia L'Ami added 14 kills and three blocks. Hailey Copinga again filled the box score with 11 kills, 20 digs, six blocks and two service aces.
 
Holland Fergurson contributed 28 digs in defeat. Natalie Hilderman tallied 46 assists and 11 digs.
 
Providence had 13.5 blocks and 89 digs. Korie Milan led the team all players with 19 kills.
 
The loss drops the Battlin' Bears back into second-place in the Frontier, one-half game behind Montana Tech. Rocky will host the Orediggers in the Fortin Center on Friday. First, Rocky will play crosstown rival MSU Billings on Tuesday at Alterowitz Gymnasium.