HELENA, Mont.  – Junior Libero Bella Parque helped the Bushnell volleyball team has set the tone for the 2023 season, setting a new single-match dig record as the Beacons rallied from a two-set deficit to knock off Rocky Mountain College, 33-35, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22, 15-9 at the Big Sky Challenge.
 
The win over RMC, currently receiving votes in the NAIA national coaches poll, also provided a little payback, two-and-a-half years in the making, as the Battlin' Bears were the team that knocked Bushnell out of the NAIA Tournament back in the spring of 2021.

Sixth-year head coach Jason Corwin said, "It took us a couple of sets to find our rhythm, but we were emotionally consistent, stayed confident, problem solved some things and started getting the results we wanted. I am so impressed by our team's response and the collaboration we are seeing from coaches to players and players to players."

Parque (pictured) collected 40 digs, breaking a 12-year old record set by Dana Clark twice in the 2011 season (36). As a team, the Beacons landed just one shy of both the Kills and Assists records, set last season as they collected 73 kills and 67 assists. "We all did such a great job of picking each other up," said junior Libero Bella Parque. "This was a great start to the season and we fought hard for it. I am so proud of the girls and I am excited to see what our season has in store for us."

As to be expected in a five-set match, especially one that contained a marathon opening set, a number of strong statistical performance emerged for the Beacons. Freshman Amyah Semau made a strong collegiate debut with a double-double, collecting 15 kills and 15 digs while sophomore Leah Agost added 14 kills and 14 digs. Junior Matty Ladd led all players with 16 kills. 

Peyton Ritchie led the team with 30 assists and Katie Belitz was close behind with 27, adding a double-double of her own with ten digs. Parque also chipped in four of Bushnell's 12 service aces. 

Richie said, "This was our first test as a new team and we were able to prove to ourselves that we can hand with ranked teams and have fun doing it. It was an amazing comeback and I am so proud of our tenacity."

Bushnell out-blocked RMC 13-8 including seven blocks apiece from transfers Celia Hubbard and Makenna Mosher. Hubbard hit .500, adding nine kills. 
 
The Beacons (1-0) continue their Montana trek this afternoon against Spring Arbor College (1-0) at 12:00 pm PST.
 
"I am super excited for this season," said sophomore Leah Agost. "I love this game and my team and today we proved to ourselves that we can come back no matter how far down we are. I can't wait for the rest of this season. This is just the beginning."