Griz make season debut with Friday scrimmage

It was the expected glass-half-full, glass-half-empty results on Friday afternoon as the Montana volleyball team held a preseason scrimmage in front of a nice crowd at the West Auxiliary Gym in Missoula.

With some players changing teams during the match, Maroon came out on top of White, taking three of four sets, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21, 23-25.

On the one hand, first-year coach Allison Lawrence's team had 24 blocks between the two sides, a nice development for a team that ranked last in the Big Sky Conference in that category last season. But that led to a .107 combined hitting percentage from the teams' offenses.

More: Her team had 13 service aces, which meant 13 receiving errors.

On the one hand, it's good. On the other, not so much. It left the coach both pleased and a bit concerned, not unusual for an intrasquad scrimmage.

"I did like our blocking," Lawrence said. "We've been doing some new things that we had to learn nine days ago. That was the most successful part of what we were doing, so I was proud of that.

"But on the flip side, there were some frustrations with our offense. We need to increase our range as hitters and look for weaknesses in the block and mix up our shots."

It was the only scrimmage of the preseason for Montana, which opens its season next Friday against Prairie View A&M at North Texas's tournament.

The Grizzlies opened their season last Tuesday, with mostly two-a-days leading up to Friday's scrimmage.

"It's been a long, grueling two weeks, so I was proud that the team came out ready to compete. There was some fatigue that showed, both mental and physical, but that's what you're going to get in fall camp," Lawrence said.

"It was fun to watch them be really proud to show who they are. The turnout was great. We're so thankful for the volleyball community here. These are the same people we see at all our home games who are just really supportive and loyal."

Junior Mykaela Hammer, playing for both sides, had a match-high 13 kills on .310 hitting, moving to the right side this year after spending a majority of last season at middle blocker.

Sophomore Missy Huddleston had 12 kills, junior Cassie Laramee added 11, but the two outside hitters combined for a negative hitting percentage.

"We still need to work on our offense and the choices we're making," said Lawrence. "Our setters' choices were good, and I think we're putting ourselves in position to score.

"Our reliable pin hitters who have been our go-to's need to add one or two more shots to their bag of tools. They need to feel a little more confident to move the ball around in specific ways in moments when it's an opportunity to put the other team at a disadvantage."

Montana received solid play from its setters, with junior Brittany Gay, a transfer from North Idaho College, finishing with 34 assists, nine digs and five blocks. She also snuck in four kills on nine attacks with no errors to hit .444.

Playing the entire match for Maroon, she led her team to three set wins and a hitting percentage of .179.

Sophomore Ashley Watkins, playing for White, had 28 assists, five digs, five blocks and a team-high three service aces.

Sophomore McKenzie Kramer had a team-high 10 blocks and added eight kills. Freshman Baily Permann finished with seven blocks. Redshirt freshman Shannon Casale totaled 11 digs.

The match was the debut for freshman outside hitters Brooke Foster and Maddy Marshall. Both looked like they are ready to contribute immediately.

Foster had nine kills. She also had three service errors and four receiving errors, but she showed no signs that it bothered her. She just kept playing hard and energetically, and hitting with aggressiveness.

"Brooke is very engaged and very coachable and can immediately make changes, and that's impressive for a freshman," said Lawrence. "She's constantly analyzing her game, and because of that she doesn't really get down on herself.

"She's still learning a lot, so she has her errors, but she's such a calm, positive person on the court that she remains steady. That allows her to make some really good plays that are surprising for a freshman."

Marshall had 10 kills on .161 hitting. Because she was competing at the Canada Summer Games, she didn't join the team until a few days ago. Her first practice was Thursday afternoon. She underwent fitness testing on Friday morning, then joined her teammates for a three-hour practice.

"For her to come in and show that that's just her basic level of instinctual volleyball, without really knowing what her roles are within our team, I thought was really impressive," said Lawrence. "She's just a really efficient competitor."

Junior Lia Gaogao had eight kills and six blocks, sophomore Janna Grimsrud finished with seven kills and four blocks, and redshirt freshman Sarah Grinnell added nine digs.

Montana will face Prairie View A&M next Friday at 3 p.m. (MT) at Denton, Texas. The Grizzlies will follow with matches against Tulsa and North Texas on Saturday.

University of Montana Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Shannon Casale

Brooke Foster

Brittany Gay

Janna Grimsrud

Sarah Grinnell

Mykaela Hammer

Missy Huddleston

McKenzie Kramer

Cassie Laramee

Maddy Marshall

Baily Permann

Ashley Watkins

Related Videos