by Brandon Stinson
SIOUX CITY, Iowa.- The Battlin’ Bears swept their competition on Saturday to leave Sioux City 3-1 on the weekend.
An exciting five set match began the day for the Battlin’ Bears, as they went toe to toe with #9 ranked Midland University. Rocky battled back and forth, winning close sets in the first and third sets, while Midland University won lopsided second and fourth sets. After a 6-6 tie in the fifth set, the Battlin’ Bears rattled off a six to one run to take a 12-7 lead, eventually leading into a 15-11 victory over the ninth ranked Midland University Warriors.
Junior Makenna Bushman continued to shine, spiking 18 kills (.325%) and four service aces in the winning effort. Rhiannon Nez tallied 15 kills on an impressive .419 hitting percentage, while Blythe Sealey totaled 48 assists and 11 digs in the victory.
The Battlin’ Bears kept things rolling going into their second matchup of the morning, as they controlled their match against Indiana University East throughout, winning in three sets (25-13, 25-23, 25-14).
In the second match, the Rocky women finished with a team hitting percentage of .255, while also racking up 20 total blocks in the winning effort.
The Battlin’ Bears were led by nine kills and nine blocks from Rhiannon Nez, 28 assists from Blythe Sealey, and 22 digs from Brooke Ark.
