Griz drop league opener at Weber State
9/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The University of Montana volleyball team lost its Big Sky Conference opener on Friday night, falling in five games at Weber State, 30-21, 30-32, 26-30, 30-22, 10-15. Sophomore Claudia Houle had a match-high 25 kills and hit .328 and junior setter Diana Thompson recorded a career-high 65 assists for the Grizzlies in the loss.
Montana dropped to 2-8 overall, 0-1 in league play. The Wildcats got their second win of the season to improve to 2-10, 1-0 in conference play.
The Grizzlies held an advantage in nearly every statistical category, but it did not result in a victory. Montana hit .206 to Weber State's .160 and recorded 21 more kills (83-62) and seven more digs (85-78).
"I thought we played really well for certain stretches tonight and put forth a great effort, and the stats reflect that," Montana coach Nikki Best said after the match. "But when the opportunities to come away with the victory presented themselves, Weber State stepped it up.
"The big difference was that Weber's middles outplayed our middles. In such a tight match, Lindsay Harris and Kolbie Murphy were the difference-makers. They came up big in key spots, especially game five."
Houle was one of four Montana players to record double-figure kills. Freshman Micaela Parker had 17 while hitting .250, junior Audrey Jensen matched a career high with 15 and senior Alice Myers had a season-high 12.
After recording just two service aces against 18 service errors in two matches last weekend at the Boise State Northwest Challenge, the Grizzlies had seven service aces against Weber State, with 10 service errors, their best ratio of the season. Five different Montana players recorded at least one service ace, with Myers and freshman Jackie White both picking up two aces.
Houle had a season-high 21 digs to lead Montana. Thompson added a career-high 18 and White had 17.
Jensen had nine blocks - two solo and seven assists - Thompson had four and Myers added three.
Weber State had five players record double-figure kills, led by Harris's 16. Kaylianne Valenzuela had 53 assists and Kaytie Thorpe had 26 digs.
Montana continues its league-opening road trip with a match at Idaho State on Saturday night.
Montana dropped to 2-8 overall, 0-1 in league play. The Wildcats got their second win of the season to improve to 2-10, 1-0 in conference play.
The Grizzlies held an advantage in nearly every statistical category, but it did not result in a victory. Montana hit .206 to Weber State's .160 and recorded 21 more kills (83-62) and seven more digs (85-78).
"I thought we played really well for certain stretches tonight and put forth a great effort, and the stats reflect that," Montana coach Nikki Best said after the match. "But when the opportunities to come away with the victory presented themselves, Weber State stepped it up.
"The big difference was that Weber's middles outplayed our middles. In such a tight match, Lindsay Harris and Kolbie Murphy were the difference-makers. They came up big in key spots, especially game five."
Houle was one of four Montana players to record double-figure kills. Freshman Micaela Parker had 17 while hitting .250, junior Audrey Jensen matched a career high with 15 and senior Alice Myers had a season-high 12.
After recording just two service aces against 18 service errors in two matches last weekend at the Boise State Northwest Challenge, the Grizzlies had seven service aces against Weber State, with 10 service errors, their best ratio of the season. Five different Montana players recorded at least one service ace, with Myers and freshman Jackie White both picking up two aces.
Houle had a season-high 21 digs to lead Montana. Thompson added a career-high 18 and White had 17.
Jensen had nine blocks - two solo and seven assists - Thompson had four and Myers added three.
Weber State had five players record double-figure kills, led by Harris's 16. Kaylianne Valenzuela had 53 assists and Kaytie Thorpe had 26 digs.
Montana continues its league-opening road trip with a match at Idaho State on Saturday night.
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