(Editor's note: RMC Athletics release)
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – No. 18 ranked Rocky Mountain College was unable to pull in a win through matches on the first day of the Cornerstone Classic Volleyball Tournament.
Rocky's win streak ended at four games Friday afternoon with a loss to Trinity Christian College. Despite drawing close in the final two sets, the Battlin' Bears were swept by the Trolls in 25-20, 26-24, and 25-23. It counted as the third time the Battlin' Bears have been swept this season.
Monique Rodriguez led the team with 11 kills. Daniella Russell had nine kills while Morgan Allen had eight kills and three blocks. Natalie Hilderman posted 37 assists. Kailey Thomson had 18 digs while Ayla Embry pulled in 15.
The Trolls' Ana Lambros had 13 kills and 14 digs while Dani Van Laten contributed 42 assists.
Later that evening, Rocky was unable to recover its momentum with a four set loss to Lawrence Technological University. The Blue Devils opened the match with consecutive sets of 25-18 before Rocky rebounded with a 25-23 win in the third set. Lawrence Tech closed out the match with a 25-21 win in the fourth set.
Rocky was led by Miranda Gallagher and Maranda Koch who both posted double digit scoring efforts. Gallagher knocked down 13 kills while Koch posted a career-high 12 kills. Russell and Rodriquez both knocked down nine of their own.
Hilderman contributed 46 assists.
Three Battlin' Bears recorded over 20 digs. Embry pulled in 33. Annie Cooke had 23 and Addy Valdez recorded 22.
The Blue Devils' Zakia Hunt had 27 kills while Kristi Doherty posted 57 assists and 21 digs.
The Battlin' Bears sit at 14-7 overall and remain undefeated in the Frontier Conference at 6-0.
The Battlin' Bears will continue the Cornerstone Classic tomorrow with matches against St. Xavier and the tournament host, Cornerstone University.
