Griz volleyball team adds pair of middle blockers
11/24/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The Montana volleyball team signed two middle blockers to National Letters of Intent recently during the NCAA's early signing period. Hailey Jackson, of Apple Valley, Calif., and Blayke Hranicka, of Denver, Colo., both will join the Grizzlies next fall.
The additions will give Montana four middle blockers in the program in 2015. Brianna Gardner played in seven matches in 2014 as a true freshman. Capri Richardson, who will be the team's lone senior next fall, earned second-team All-Big Sky Conference honors this past season.
"Our recruiting goals were to get bigger and faster in the middle, and we got the best of both worlds in Hailey and Blayke. They are very different middles, but together they combine to create a very whole position," said Allison Lawrence, recruiting coordinator under former coach Jerry Wagner.
Lawrence, associate head coach to Wagner in 2014, and assistant coach Kandice Gregorak will oversee the Griz volleyball program until Wagner's successor is hired, likely by February. Wagner stepped down as head coach last week after nine seasons at Montana.
Jackson, who like Gardner is 6-foot-3, was a four-year varsity starter for Granite Hills High School. She competes for the high-level Rancho Valley Volleyball Club and has been on club teams that have placed as high as third at the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships.
"Hailey is a big player on a top Southern California club team, so she's had good training," said Lawrence. "Because of that, she knows what to look at and stays ahead of the play. She anticipates and reads plays well. She is a very smart middle.
"She is also faster than a lot of middles her size. A lot of middles that size don't get up in transition, but she's always up. She's a strong blocker and hard worker."
Jackson made her official visit to Montana earlier this month and joins a program that has a recent history of producing standout performers at middle blocker. Jaimie Thibeault, Brooke Bray and Richardson accounted for more than half of the team's All-Big Sky Conference selections since 2006.
"I chose to sign with Montana because everyone made me feel at home when I was there. I also loved the Griz spirit in the community," said Jackson, who is a three-year member of Granite Hills High's honor roll and is president of the school's Sports Therapy Club.
"Academics are also really important to me, and I appreciate all UM has to offer in that area."
Hranicka (her-RON-i-ca), at 5-foot-11, is more like Richardson in her size and play. Of the seven middle blockers to earn first- or second-team All-Big Sky Conference honors last week, Richardson, also 5-foot-11, was the only player not 6-foot-1 or taller.
"Blayke is a little more like Capri," said Lawrence. "She is fast laterally and fast off the ground. She also hits off one foot really well, and that's something we've been missing out of our middles.
"She'll add a lot of athleticism and give us more options offensively. She's a natural blocker as well, very instinctive, so she surprises a lot of hitters. She is a hard worker and very enthusiastic, so she's a great team player."
Hranicka is a senior at Mullen High School and a three-time All-Centennial League selection. She made her official visit to UM in mid-November.
"When I visited the first time, it was obvious that this is where I wanted to spent my next four years. The campus is absolutely gorgeous. It is the perfect fit. My family and I are so blessed to have this great opportunity," she said.
Montana had two seniors on its 2014 team, middle blocker Natalie Jones and setter Kelsey Schile.
