(RMC release)
BELLEVUE, Neb. - The Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears wrapped up the 2019 Sarpy County Labor Day Classic Saturday by defeating No. 25 ranked Ottawa and No. 11 ranked Dordt.
Fresh off a win over No. 3 ranked Grand View yesterday, the Battlin' Bears (8-4) swept the Ottawa Braves Saturday afternoon in 25-13, 25-17, 25-19.
Daniella Russell led Rocky with 11 kills. Monique Rodriguez scored eight in addition to Morgan Allen's seven. Natalie Hilderman recorded a double-double with 25 assists and 10 digs.
The Braves were led by Ayona Tharps who knocked down 18 kills. Allison Thornton had 15 assists.
In the evening match, Rocky was able to outlast the Dordt Defenders in five sets.After taking the first two sets in 25-18 and 26-24, Rocky dropped the next two in 11-25 and 17-25 to force a final tie-breaking frame. Dordt was unable to complete the comeback as the Battlin' Bears took home the win in the final set with a score of 15-13.
Both Russell and Rodriguez scored in the double digits. Russell posted 15 kills and six digs while Rodriguez recorded 14 kills.
Posting her second double-double of the day, Hilderman had a season-high 40 assists for the Battlin' Bears in addition to 14 digs. Ayla Embry had 17 digs while Annie Cooke pulled in 16 of her own.
Rocky won despite four Defenders scoring in the double digits. Ally Krommendyk had 17 kills while Jori Bronner scored 16. Corrina Timmermans had 13 kills while Jessi De Jager posted 14.
The Battlin' Bears won't play again until their home opener against the Montana Western Bulldogs on Sept. 20.
