Griz fall in three sets to Roadrunners

Saturday, August 27

Dallas, Texas

11:00 AM (MT)

Montana

1-2

Texas-San Antonio

3-0

Texas-San Antonio

Montana

8/27/2016 1:30:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

The Montana volleyball team fell to tournament champion Texas-San Antonio Saturday afternoon in the Grizzlies' final match of the SMU Doubletree Invitational at Dallas, Texas, 25-15, 25-19, 25-14.

Montana, which picked up its first win of the season on Friday against Arkansas-Little Rock, went 1-2 at the tournament. The Roadrunners, who dropped just a single set in three matches, were a perfect 3-0.

UTSA, with five starters back from last season's 24-win team, hit .416 against the Grizzlies, who finished at .093. Freshman Missy Huddleston led Montana with 12 kills on .214 hitting.

"They are a really good team that is playing well early in the season," said UM coach Brian Doyon. "They've got some nice players. They executed at a high level.

"The part of the game that really challenged us was trying to keep pace with them offensively. They play with some power at the pins. We didn't have an answer for them."

Montana still had its moments. Trailing 21-9 in the second set, Huddleston, sophomore Mykaela Hammer and freshman Ashley Watkins helped the Grizzlies pull within 24-19 before the Roadrunners closed out the set.

"We were able to stay in system for long periods today and make some good plays," said Doyon.

Despite playing with eight underclassmen and hitting .103 over the three matches, Montana comes away from the tournament with its first win and also some valuable experience.

Underclassmen produced every one of Montana's kills at the tournament, with senior Raegan Lindsey leading the team in assists, Watkins and senior Sadie Ahearn in digs and sophomore Alexis Urbach in blocks.

"I loved this tournament. Each of the teams we played challenged us in a different way," said Doyon.

"What I want us to take away is that when we play at a high level, we can compete and scrap with anybody, and that's the confidence I want these young athletes to get. I want them to learn about the pace of the collegiate game but also feel really good about being able to come out and compete."

Montana will play a single match next week, hosting Gonzaga on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the West Auxiliary Gym.