GREAT FALLS — The University of Providence volleyball team took its home court for the final time Saturday, turning an emotional farewell into a celebration of the players, alumni and coach who built the program.
Fans packed the McLaughlin Center Gymnasium as the Argos faced Montana Tech in their last home volleyball match before the university closes at the end of the current school year.
Providence pushed the match to five sets but could not finish with the storybook ending head coach Arunas Duda had hoped for. Still, Duda walked away proud of the fight his team showed.
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“They stepped up, and it hasn’t been an easy go,” Duda said. “We faced a lot of adversity this year, and they stepped up and did a darn good job.”
The night was also a celebration of Duda’s 24 years with the program. Providence named the court in his honor Friday, allowing Duda to share the moment with his family, current players and many of the former athletes he coached.
“It’s really special,” Duda said. “My kids got to see that. My family got to see that. All the years we spent in this gym, it’s really special to have them be a part of that.”
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