Griz pull second win at Air Force

Saturday, August 29

Colorado Springs, Colo.

5:00 PM

Montana

2-0

Northeastern

0-4

Montana

Northeastern

8/29/2015 9:25:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

Seniors Hannah Sackett and Capri Richardson led their team to a 3-1 victory Saturday over Northeastern at the Falcon Classic in Colorado Springs, Colo., 23-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-23.

The Griz lost the first set before pulling through to win the second and third handily and finally finished off Northeastern in a close fourth set.

Northeastern tried to rally back to win the fourth set, but the Grizzlies caught the Huskies at 18-18, then the teams went point-for-point until the Grizzlies pulled out the final two for a 25-23 win.

The team showed great resilience, often battling back from large gaps that Northeastern had created, a very different type of match than Montana's season opener yesterday against Air Force.

"It was a heck of a battle. The girls were playing their guts out. Hannah did a great job. She stepped up and had some great kills for us," said coach Brian Doyon.

Sackett led the team with 22 kills, while Richardson was not far behind with 14 and hit .524 to help carry the team to its second win of the season.

All eleven eligible players made it onto the court, each making a valuable contribution to the win.

Notably, freshman middle blocker Hailey Jackson made her collegiate debut, which moved sophomore Brianna Gardner from the middle to the right side, where she was a game standout.

"We put Bri on the right side, and she did an amazing job. She made some really great blocks, and it really slowed their offense down," said Doyon.

In addition to Gardner's performance, outside hitters Silerolia Gaogao, a freshman, and sophomore Janell Sparks stood out with seven kills apiece, while redshirt freshman Rachel DeArman continued her strong play at setter with 24 assists. Junior libero Sadie Ahearn fell just short of her career high with 20 digs.

While every player had a strong game, Doyon has to be excited about the strength of his youngest athletes.

"Hailey and Lia, as freshmen, are doing an amazing job adjusting to the pace of collegiate volleyball," said Sackett.

With two wins under its belt, the team is excited to continue playing with a new sense of confidence.

"I'm excited for tomorrow. It's going to be a fun blocking and defensive game for sure," said Richardson of Montana's match against New Mexico State tomorrow, adding, "I don't want to jinx us, but this is the best start I've ever seen since I've been in the program. It's really exciting but also a little nerve-racking. We know we just want to keep going undefeated, but we can't get ahead of ourselves."

The team faces New Mexico State Sunday at 11 a.m.