2019 Sarpy County Labor Day Volleyball Classic: The Battlin' Bears travel to Bellevue, Nebraska this week with a chance to leave a mark at several matches against nationally ranked teams. 

A Look Behind: Rocky Mountain College's overall record is 5-3 with several strong showings through the first two weeks of the season. Last week, the Battlin' Bears went 3-1 at the 2019 Big Sky Challenge. They took down Northwest 3-1, Evergreen 3-0, and Bethel 3-0. Their only loss at the tournament came to No. 12 ranked College of Idaho who swept the Battlin' Bears 3-0. This week is a chance for the Battlin' Bears to prove they can compete against three of the top ranked teams in the nation.

Battlin' Bears So Far: Rocky sits at No. 3 in the Frontier Conference behind Montana Tech and Providence. The Orediggers have seven wins and a loss to their name while Providence remains undefeated with five wins. All three of Rocky's losses have been to top 30 teams in the NAIA Coaches' Poll. 

• Daniella Russell's 207 kills not only leads the Battlin' Bears, but ranks No. 1 in the Frontier Conference. The senior is averaging 3.7 kills per set through the first eight matches of the season. 
• Natalie Hilderman ranks No. 1 in the Frontier in total assists (254) on an average of 8.8 per set. 
• Elsewhere on offense, Monique Rodriguez posted a career high 15 kills in a match against The Evergreen State College last week. 
• Freshman Ayla Embry leads the Frontier in digs (158) and digs per set (5.4).

Game 1 – Scouting the Morningside Mustangs: 

• Rocky swept Morningside 3-0 last year (25-15, 25-22, 25-20).
• Morningside averages 14.150 kills per set which is nearly three more than Rocky.
• Morningside's Courtney Bartuth ranks No. 8 in blocks per set (1.460).
• Krista Zenk's 42 kills through four matches leads the Mustangs.
• Rocky has a 39-15 advantage in service aces. 

Game 2 – Scouting the Grand View Vikings:

• Grand View defeated Rocky 2-3 last year (25-22, 22-25, 22-25, 25-21, 15-5).
• The Vikings rank No. 6 in total digs (537).
• Alexa Aldrich-Ingram leads the team in scoring with 80 kills.
• Setter Trystin Luneckas ranks No. 29 in total assists (183).
• Rocky holds a 60 to 39.5 advantage over the Vikings in total blocks.

Game 3 – Scouting the Ottawa Braves:

• The Braves rank No. 3 in blocks per game (2.970).
• Makayla Aspegren ranks No. 12 in blocks per game (1.380).
• Ayona Tharps leads the team in scoring with 44 kills through four matches.
• Rocky averages 11.690 kills per set. Ottawa averages 10.940.

Game 4 – Scouting the Dordt Defenders: 

• Rocky defeated Dordt 3-2 last year (25-15, 25-21, 20-25, 22-25, 15-11).
• The Defenders rank No. 9 in blocks per set (2.500).
• Ally Krommendyk ranks No. 30 in blocks per game (1.210).
• Dordt averages 12.5 assists per set.

Frontier Conference Players of the Week: 

• Attacker of the Week: Providence's Kelsey Shaver
• Defender of the Week: Providence's Sacha Legros
• Setter of the Week: Montana Tech's McKenna Kaelber

NAIA Team Rankings: 

• Rocky 's highest ranking in the NAIA is No. 2 in total digs (158) with a No. 6 ranking in digs per set (20.620).
• The team has a No. 8 ranking in total blocks (60) and No. 33 ranking in blocks per game (2.070)
• The team ranks No. 19 in total kills (339).
• The team is No. 20 in total assists (305), and No. 45 in total service aces (39).

NAIA Player Rankings: 

• With two weeks finished in the season, freshman Ayla Embry is ranked No. 3 individually in the NAIA in total digs with 158.
• Outside hitter Daniella Russell's 107 total kills ranks No. 6 in the NAIA. 
• Naomi Bad Bear ranks No. 10 in total blocks (30).
• Natalie Hilderman ranks No. 10 in total assists (254).