HELENA, Mont.  – The Beacon volleyball team improved to 2-0 on the season as they swept Spring Arbor University (Mich.) on Friday afternoon, 28-26, 25-23, 25-14.
 
Bushnell used a consistent attack and benefitted from 24 unforced errors as they knocked off the perennial contender from the Crossroads League in the first ever meeting between the NAIA schools.
 
Head Coach Jason Corwin said, "Spring Arbor caught us on our heels a little bit after our tough five-set match against Rocky in the morning. They did some really great things, but I am proud of our our team adjusted. We threw out a different lineup and it took us a minute to figure out what was going to work. Brooklynn Dechent had a great game scoring points and both of our setters did a great job managing the match.
 
Trailing 10-2 in the first set, Bushnell bounced back and took control, eventually gaining their first lead at 17-16. The teams traded five leads and were tied nine times before the Beacons emerged with kills from Matty Ladd and Ashlyn Tai to put the set away.
 
Set two was as close as the first, but Bushell once again prevailed, using a Leah Agost kill to end it. From there, the Beacons turned on the after burners, cruising to the third-set win. Tied 4-4, Bushnell went on a 12-2 run to put the game and match out of reach.
 
Brooklynn Dechent led the way for the Beacons, collecting six kills without an error while also posting five blocks. Bushnell out-blocked the Cougars 10-7. Matty Ladd collected a team-high seven kills and added three blocks while Bella Parque added 11 digs. Peyton Ritchie secured a match-high 18 assists, while Katie Belitz added 13.
 
Dechent said, "Talk about energy! I have been on so many teams before where once you get in a rut, you're done for. This team already has the mental strength and tenacity to bounce back and it is so exciting. I am beyond pumped to see what the season holds for us, and I am so proud and thankful to be a part of such a wonderful team."
 
"I am so proud of this team," said Belitz. "After our long first match we found the energy, fought and came out with two wins to start the season. We are all clicking well and it is showing on the court. With an almost brand-new lineup, teams are not expecting us to come out the way we are and we are using it to our advantage. We have some very talented girls and I can't wait to see how far we go this season."
 
Spring Arbor (1-1) received ten kills from Kendal Bollenbacher while Abigail Fernihough secured four kills and five blocks.
 
Bushnell will close out the Big Sky Challenge on Saturday with two more matches, taking on Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) at 9:00 am (MT) before facing tournament-host Carroll College at 1:00 pm (MT).