SAN MARCOS, Calif. -- The 2023 season comes to a close for Rocky Mountain on Saturday in straight sets as they fall to the Firebirds of the University of Saint Katherine.

The Firebirds entered Saturday's match ranked eighth in the NAIA in team hitting percentage and they displayed that strength in the first set, hitting .538 in the first set to take the early lead. 

Bella Bryan led the Battlin' Bears in a back and forth second set, as she spiked five kills. After Kaitlyn Wood's kill cut the Rocky deficit to 22-20, the Firebirds finished off the second set and took a two set lead. 

The Battlin' Bears jumped out to an early 5-1 lead in the third set, giving them a lead throughout most of the set. After Blythe Sealey snuck a kill over the net to give Rocky a 24-22 lead, the #17 ranked Firebirds rattled off four straight points to earn the three set victory. 

The Battlin' Bears were led by nine kills from Bella Bryan, while Makenna Bushman followed with seven. Blythe Sealey finished the match with 22 assists and 10 digs, as Brooke Ark tallied 10 digs as well. The Battlin' Bears hit .131 as a team with 29 kills in the loss. 

Rocky Volleyball finished the season 21-13 overall, making it to the NAIA Volleyball Championship Opening Round for the second consecutive season.