Big 2nd-set run propels Bobcats to sweep

Tuesday, October 23

Bozeman, Mont.

7:00 PM

Montana

8-15, 5-6Big Sky

Montana State

10-12, 5-6Big Sky

Montana

Montana State

10/23/2018 9:05:00 PM | Volleyball

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By: Montana Sports Information

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Tuesday night in Bozeman felt all too similar. Playing in front of a sold-out Montana State crowd, Montana held a 23-20 lead in the second set, but needing just two more points to tie the match at one set apiece, Montana was unable to close out the Cats. Montana State scored the next five points to take a 2-0 match lead, and then cruised to a three-set victory (25-21, 25-23, 25-17).

A year ago in this very gym, Montana led the second set 22-19. It had a set-point opportunity at 24-23, but just like Tuesday, Montana State was able to rally and win the set.

It's been a trend that's become troubling for Montana. After being so good early in the year at closing out sets, Montana has struggled recently, losing twice last week after holding set points at league-leading Sacramento State.

"It felt deflating, but at the same time I felt like we came into the gym deflated," second-year head coach Allison Lawrence said. "That MSU team knows that they're fighting for their postseason life with every single match and every single point. They came prepared and they looked like they were going to do whatever it took to win."

That's FOUR in a row for MONTANA! Montana State calls timeout as #GrizVB takes a 20-17 lead! pic.twitter.com/8f3XCuroxO
— Montana Griz VB (@MontanaGrizVB) October 24, 2018

Montana played from behind during Set 1, with the Bobcats jumping out to an early lead behind hot hitting. The Grizzlies were able to fight back before falling 25-21. The second set, though, was the big blow. A 1-1 tie with momentum could have changed the whole course of the match, but instead the Grizzlies found themselves down 2-0 and without any momentum, despite leading for much of the frame.

The two teams were tied at 6-6 early in the third set before MSU pulled away for a 25-17 win.

"It didn't look like we were ready to respond to anything, let alone the second set," Lawrence said. "We're in a pattern now where we're getting a swing for a set point and we're making an error; not always hitting errors, but something in the middle of the rally, bumping into each other or being out of position. We're making errors that aren't aggressive, and I can't tell you why."

Senior outside hitter Mykaela Hammer led all players with 18 kills on .297 hitting. Hammer had nine kills in the second set alone, pacing the Griz offense. Senior Cassie Laramee had 11 kills, while on defense McKenzie Kramer – who started in place of Bradley – had a team-high four blocks.

Montana's last 3 points have come from the arm of Mykaela Hammer.

The senior has 11 kills on the night, including 7 so far in Set 2. #HammerTime pic.twitter.com/RP8TztkPMh
— Montana Griz VB (@MontanaGrizVB) October 24, 2018

(10/23/2018) VB: at Montana State (10.23.18)

Montana State out-hit the Grizzlies .301 to .185, in addition to doubling them up in blocking (10 to 5) and recording five service aces to UM's one.

Montana has now dropped four consecutive matches after beginning conference play so hot. The Grizzlies and Bobcats are each 5-6 and tied for seventh place in the Big Sky standings. Montana will get a breather this week before hosting Northern Colorado Saturday night.

"We've put ourselves in a tough position to have to fight back into a seventh or eighth seed," Lawrence said. "It's all on the line, and I don't feel like we've been playing with that sense of urgency. Now the reality is if we don't do some things down the stretch we won't make it to postseason."