BUTTE, Mont.- Rocky Volleyball begins its Frontier Conference schedule on Friday with a trip to Butte to take on Montana Tech. 

Last Time Out

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The Battlin' Bears finished their non-conference schedule at the ShinDig Tourney in Texas, 2-2. Rocky defeated the host school, Our Lady of the Lake, in five sets and John Brown University in three. Rocky enters the Frontier Conference schedule with an 8-3 record, with its only losses being against top-25 opponents. 

Game Notes

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Frontier Schedule Underway
The Battlin' Bears kick off the Frontier Conference schedule with a road matchup against #21 Montana Tech. Rocky will play 15 conference matchups before the Frontier Conference Tournament in Havre, which starts November 15th. 

Kick The Streak
While the Battlin' Bears hold a series record of 21-14 against the Orediggers since 2012, they've dropped the last seven consecutive matches against Montana Tech and eight of the previous ten total. They'll look to shake the losing streak to begin their conference schedule.

Scouting the Orediggers
Montana Tech has begun their 2024 season with a 6-4 record, losing two straight heading into Friday's matchup. Junior outside hitter Kinnidi Willmore is amid a breakout season, leading the Frontier Conference in total kills (144) and kills per set (3.89). 2023 Second Team All-Conference honoree Olivia Labeau ranks third in total kills (111) and second in hitting percentage (.342). The Orediggers struggled in their most recent outing at the SAGU Tournament in Texas, losing three of their four matchups. 

No Easy Conference Matchups
The most recent NAIA Coaches Poll saw five of the six Frontier Conference programs receiving votes. No team in the Frontier Conference has a losing record entering conference play, and the six teams combined for a 46-16 record during non-conference action this season. 

Keep Everything Contested
The Battlin' Bears rank 14th in the NAIA this season, averaging 2.41 blocks per set through non-conference action. Sophomore Kaitlyn Wood leads the Battlin' Bears with 35 total blocks, averaging 0.88 per set. 

The Best of the Best
Senior Makenna Bushman is off to a hot start following her 2023 First Team All-Conference Selection, ranking second in the Frontier Conference in total kills (125) and third in kills per set (3.13). She has been just as effective in the backcourt defensively for the Battlin' Bears, ranking ninth in the conference averaging 3.35 digs per set. She is already just 47 digs away from surpassing her total digs a season ago. 

Can't Win if You Can't Score
Rocky has been the best service team in the conference this season, totaling 68 service aces. Four Battlin' Bears have already totaled more than ten service aces a piece, led by 14 from sophomore Ella Kincaid.