Volleyball program adds two from Idaho

For Brooke Foster and Baily Permann, the appeal of being a student-athlete at Montana was about much more than simply the coach for whom they thought they would be playing under as Grizzlies.

Foster signed a National Letter of Intent last week, then confirmed her commitment this week after Montana volleyball coach Brian Doyon resigned on Monday. Permann signed with the Grizzlies on Wednesday.

"Both families and both Baily and Brooke expressed strong feelings that this is the right place for them to be student-athletes," said interim head coach Allison Lawrence. "This is their dream school."

Foster is a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Boise, Idaho, Permann is a 6-foot middle blocker from Pocatello, Idaho.

"The uncertainty that came up this week did not take away from the momentum of their decision or alter their belief that this is where they want to be. That's when you know it's the right fit," added Lawrence.

Foster was named the 5A Southern Idaho Conference Player of the Year earlier this month after leading Timberline High to a runner-up finish at the state tournament.

"Brooke's athleticism, her ball control and her all-around play are going to help us immediately," said Lawrence. "She brings a total package that we haven't always had in our freshmen.

"She's been the go-to player on her high school and club teams the last several years, so even though she'll be a freshman, I expect her to play like an upperclassman right away, which is what we need."

Foster and Permann both made their official visits in early October, when the Griz volleyball team was hosting Idaho State and Weber State, and the Montana football team was putting up 67 points on Mississippi Valley State.

"They immediately knew when they stepped foot on campus," said Lawrence. "They fell in love with the atmosphere and the support for athletics. They want to be a part of that."

Foster holds the record for kills at Timberline High and led the Wolves to a pair of district titles. Timberline qualified for the eight-team state tournament in 2015 and '16.

"I fell in love as soon as I arrived in Missoula. It reminds me of Boise, so that helps with my instinctual nervousness of going to college," Foster said. "The natural beauty surrounding campus is another reason I'm excited.

"I'm enjoying my final year of high school, but I am looking forward to creating a new path for myself and being a part of the Griz."

Permann comes out of the storied program at Century High, which won Idaho Class 4A state titles six straight years before coming up short of a seventh at last month's state tournament.

"I love the campus and everything about Missoula," said Permann. "It's not too big and not too small, and it feels like home. I love that it is a college town and everyone supports the university.

"I also want to pursue health and human performance, and Montana has a good program for that."

Permann will join a position group at Montana that averaged fewer than three kills per set last season, as the Grizzlies went 5-21 and tied for last in the Big Sky Conference at 2-14. Montana was last in the Big Sky in blocking.

She'll join the Grizzlies for the start of the spring semester after she graduates early from Century.

"Baily will have the entire spring season to train with us and develop chemistry with her teammates," said Lawrence. "She'll go into next season like she already has a year under her belt.

"What's exciting about Baily is that she's become so dominant in so short a time since we started watching and recruiting her. The rate at which she's improving is very exciting. She's touching over 10 feet, so she's blocking and hitting high. She has the potential to be a top threat for us right away."

University of Montana Athletics

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