Thursday, October 24
Sacramento, Calif.
8 PM (MT)
Montana
at
Sacramento State
Photo by: Todd Goodrich
Griz reach midpoint of conference season with split weekend
10/23/2019 6:27:00 PM | Volleyball
Montana at Sacramento State / Thursday / 8 p.m. (MT) / Sacramento, Calif.
Video: Pluto TV (ch. 533)
Stats: Live Stats
Montana vs. Portland State / Saturday / 7 p.m. / Missoula, Mont.
Video: Pluto TV (ch. 537)
Stats: Live Stats
Tickets
The next two weeks will be unique for Montana, as the volleyball team alternates home and road contests, traveling to Sacramento State before a home clash with Portland State, followed by a bus trip to Montana State and a home match vs. Northern Colorado.
The next two weeks will also be crucial for momentum, as the Grizzlies continue to try to find their footing.
First up will be a trip to Sacramento State, a program that has been near the top of the conference in recent seasons. The site is also home to the 2019 Big Sky Championships, which will take the top eight teams next month.
It's a goal for Montana to return to the tournament, having done so last year for the first time in five seasons. But more than that, Allison Lawrence wants her young roster to develop an identity, as well as consistency.
The Grizzlies have shown talent. Quickly coming to mind is Montana's match at Northern Arizona, one in which the Grizzlies took a 2-0 lead on the defending champions. Another is last week, when Montana won the third set over a Weber State that was picked to finish second in the Big Sky preseason poll, only behind the previously mentioned Lumberjacks.
Make no doubt about it, the Grizzlies are moving in the right direction. But in a results-driven industry, baby steps can be frustrating when you want to sprint to the finish line and see the final, polished product.
Lawrence, though, knows how vital this time can be in terms of shaping young players – physically and mentally – which is why she continues to put the process first, even when the results can't always be seen from an outsider's view.
"There are really, really bright spots, and then moments of inconsistency," Lawrence said. "I think we're a team that's learning how to be really resilient through those ebbs and flows, and I think it's up to us to ride those waves and hit out momentum going into the second half of conference feeling confident."
The upcoming slate won't be easy. Aside from Saturday's home tilt vs. Portland State – a team that enters the week tied for eighth in the league at 3-5 – Montana plays several heavyweights. Sacramento State is tied with Montana State – Tuesday's opponent – for third place at 5-3. Once Montana gets through that gauntlet, the Griz will host a Northern Colorado squad that has a perfect 8-0 record.
Aside from Northern Colorado, though, even the teams at the top of the standings haven't been unbeatable. Montana took a set off of Idaho, currently sitting in second at 6-2, and also took sets off of Northern Arizona, Weber State and Southern Utah – other teams in the top half of the standings. Plus, one would have to go back to just last season to recall the last time the Griz surprisingly knocked off a seemingly superior opponent.
In the last match of the regular season, Montana went to Pocatello and beat an Idaho State team that advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament the following week. In September, Montana rallied to knock off a Sacramento State squad that played in the championship game the year prior.
Plus, as cliché as she feels it sounds, Lawrence knows that the Grizzlies have the talent to compete with anyone in the Big Sky Conference. They've shown that for brief periods of time. Now it's a matter of doing it consistently, over the course of a match.
"We're a completely different team than we were a month ago, and at any point we can break out," Lawrence said. "Virtually everything about us has changed for the positive. Every level of our game has increased statistically. Our freshmen have gone through the process for another month and they carry themselves differently.
"We're getting to 22 points. Now we just have to go take it."
Fans who attend Saturday's football game vs. Eastern Washington can show their game ticket for free admittance into Saturday night's volleyball match vs. Portland State.
SCOUTING SACRAMENTO STATE
Montana is just 14-31 all-time against Sacramento State, but has won 10 of the 17 matchups since 2008. Overall, the Grizzlies are 4-17 in Sacramento and will be looking for its first road win since 2013. In last year's come-from-behind win in Missoula, Missy Huddleston (21) and Sarina Moreno (19) combined for 40 digs. Moreno had 20 digs in the three-set match later last year in Sacramento.
SERIES VS. THE VIKINGS
Montana has won four of the past six matchups vs. Portland State, including last year's 3-0 sweep over the Vikings. Overall, however, the series that began in 1975 has belonged to Portland State. The Vikings are 59-17 all-time against UM, and hold a 15-12 advantage over the Griz in Missoula. In two matches vs. the Vikings in 2018, Missy Huddleston averaged 8.5 kills and 9.5 digs.
GRIZ BITS
Video: Pluto TV (ch. 533)
Stats: Live Stats
Montana vs. Portland State / Saturday / 7 p.m. / Missoula, Mont.
Video: Pluto TV (ch. 537)
Stats: Live Stats
Tickets
The next two weeks will be unique for Montana, as the volleyball team alternates home and road contests, traveling to Sacramento State before a home clash with Portland State, followed by a bus trip to Montana State and a home match vs. Northern Colorado.
The next two weeks will also be crucial for momentum, as the Grizzlies continue to try to find their footing.
First up will be a trip to Sacramento State, a program that has been near the top of the conference in recent seasons. The site is also home to the 2019 Big Sky Championships, which will take the top eight teams next month.
It's a goal for Montana to return to the tournament, having done so last year for the first time in five seasons. But more than that, Allison Lawrence wants her young roster to develop an identity, as well as consistency.
The Grizzlies have shown talent. Quickly coming to mind is Montana's match at Northern Arizona, one in which the Grizzlies took a 2-0 lead on the defending champions. Another is last week, when Montana won the third set over a Weber State that was picked to finish second in the Big Sky preseason poll, only behind the previously mentioned Lumberjacks.
Make no doubt about it, the Grizzlies are moving in the right direction. But in a results-driven industry, baby steps can be frustrating when you want to sprint to the finish line and see the final, polished product.
Lawrence, though, knows how vital this time can be in terms of shaping young players – physically and mentally – which is why she continues to put the process first, even when the results can't always be seen from an outsider's view.
"There are really, really bright spots, and then moments of inconsistency," Lawrence said. "I think we're a team that's learning how to be really resilient through those ebbs and flows, and I think it's up to us to ride those waves and hit out momentum going into the second half of conference feeling confident."
The upcoming slate won't be easy. Aside from Saturday's home tilt vs. Portland State – a team that enters the week tied for eighth in the league at 3-5 – Montana plays several heavyweights. Sacramento State is tied with Montana State – Tuesday's opponent – for third place at 5-3. Once Montana gets through that gauntlet, the Griz will host a Northern Colorado squad that has a perfect 8-0 record.
Aside from Northern Colorado, though, even the teams at the top of the standings haven't been unbeatable. Montana took a set off of Idaho, currently sitting in second at 6-2, and also took sets off of Northern Arizona, Weber State and Southern Utah – other teams in the top half of the standings. Plus, one would have to go back to just last season to recall the last time the Griz surprisingly knocked off a seemingly superior opponent.
In the last match of the regular season, Montana went to Pocatello and beat an Idaho State team that advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament the following week. In September, Montana rallied to knock off a Sacramento State squad that played in the championship game the year prior.
Plus, as cliché as she feels it sounds, Lawrence knows that the Grizzlies have the talent to compete with anyone in the Big Sky Conference. They've shown that for brief periods of time. Now it's a matter of doing it consistently, over the course of a match.
"We're a completely different team than we were a month ago, and at any point we can break out," Lawrence said. "Virtually everything about us has changed for the positive. Every level of our game has increased statistically. Our freshmen have gone through the process for another month and they carry themselves differently.
"We're getting to 22 points. Now we just have to go take it."
MAKE IT A GRIZ DAYAmethyst Harper, ladies and gentlemen!
— Montana Griz VB (@MontanaGrizVB) October 20, 2019
Montana scores the final four points to win Set 3, 25-21! #GrizVB #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/kjfZq7J4yT
Fans who attend Saturday's football game vs. Eastern Washington can show their game ticket for free admittance into Saturday night's volleyball match vs. Portland State.
SCOUTING SACRAMENTO STATE
- Sacramento State has a 10-11 record overall, including a 5-3 mark in league play. Prior to the Hornets' 3-1 loss to Northern Colorado last Thursday, they had won four consecutive matches, including over Northern Arizona and at Weber State.
- Dating back to 2015, Sacramento State is 33-3 in Big Sky home matches.
- Sacramento State ranks second in Big Sky play for kills, assists and service aces. The only statistical category the Hornets do not rank in the upper half of the league in is blocking.
- Senior outside hitter Sarah Davis is the league's top attacker, averaging 5.03 kills per set. She has recorded 26 kills or more in a match three times this season; no other Big Sky player has done it once.
- Davis has nine double-doubles, including 31 kills and 12 digs vs. Northern Arizona (Oct. 5) and 26 kills and 17 digs at Idaho State (Oct. 10). She is also averaging 0.44 service aces per set through league play, tied with Elsa Godwin for second in the Big Sky.
- No player in the country takes more attempts than Davis (13.60 per set). She also ranks in the top 35 nationally for points, kills and service aces.
- Setting up Davis, sophomore Ashtin Olin ranks second in the Big Sky with 11.44 assists per set and third with 14 service aces. She was named the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 14.
- Junior middle blocker Cianna Andrews ranks in the top 10 in Big Sky play for hitting percentage (.302, ninth) and blocking (1.08 per set, 10th). She has hit above .500 twice already during league play.
- Libero Michelle Taynton has recorded at least 17 digs in seven of Sacramento State's past nine matches. She was the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 23.
- Sacramento State was picked to finish third in the Big Sky preseason poll, trailing only Northern Arizona and Weber State.
- Ruben Volta, the 2015 and 2017 Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year, is 98-56 in 12 seasons.
Montana is just 14-31 all-time against Sacramento State, but has won 10 of the 17 matchups since 2008. Overall, the Grizzlies are 4-17 in Sacramento and will be looking for its first road win since 2013. In last year's come-from-behind win in Missoula, Missy Huddleston (21) and Sarina Moreno (19) combined for 40 digs. Moreno had 20 digs in the three-set match later last year in Sacramento.
SCOUTING PORTLAND STATEWe could build a neighborhood with all of those roofs! 🏘🔨#GrizVB totaled 9 blocks on Thursday vs. Idaho State, its most in a three-set match this season! #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/fYkRQuIbke
— Montana Griz VB (@MontanaGrizVB) October 22, 2019
- Portland State enters the week with a 7-12 record, including a 3-5 mark in league play. After winning three consecutive matches early in conference play, the Vikings have lost four in a row entering their match vs. Montana State on Thursday.
- While the Vikings rank low statistically for most offensive categories, they lead the Big Sky with 17.87 digs per set. Overall, their 16.70 digs-per-set average ranks 31st in the NCAA.
- Libero Ellie Snook ranks 15th nationally, and first among all freshmen, with 5.34 digs per set (6.30 during league play). Snook, the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 7, has recorded at least 30 digs in a match four times, including 39 vs. Southern Utah (Oct. 5).
- Redshirt sophomore Jordan White leads the Big Sky and ranks 21st nationally with 1.37 blocks per set. As a team, Portland State ranks fourth in the Big Sky with 2.21 blocks per set.
- Senior outside hitter Toni McDougald ranks seventh in the Big Sky with 3.41 kills per set, recording double figures for kills in nine of the Vikings' past 11 matches. She had a 20-kill, 20-dig performance vs. Idaho on Oct. 12.
- Sophomore outside hitter Parker Webb has four double-doubles in her past six matches and ranks 10th in the Big Sky with 2.88 kills per set. She also adds 2.22 digs per set, which ranks third on her team. On Sept. 23, Webb was named the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
- Portland State was picked to finish eighth in the Big Sky preseason poll, just ahead of Montana.
- Michael Seeman is in his 13th season at Portland State, amassing more than 200 career wins.
Missy Huddleston was on fire vs. Weber State, recording 10 kills on a season-best .318 hitting!#GrizVB #GoGriz #UpWithMontana pic.twitter.com/K2ce6HgP5z
— Montana Griz VB (@MontanaGrizVB) October 23, 2019
SERIES VS. THE VIKINGS
Montana has won four of the past six matchups vs. Portland State, including last year's 3-0 sweep over the Vikings. Overall, however, the series that began in 1975 has belonged to Portland State. The Vikings are 59-17 all-time against UM, and hold a 15-12 advantage over the Griz in Missoula. In two matches vs. the Vikings in 2018, Missy Huddleston averaged 8.5 kills and 9.5 digs.
GRIZ BITS
- Montana has improved in every statistic from non-conference to conference and ranks in the upper-half of the league standings for blocking (2.00 per set).
- After hitting above .180 just twice in 11 non-conference matches, Montana has done so already five times during conference play, hitting above .200 on three occasions.
- Montana is averaging 2.31 blocks per set over the past four matches, including 12 stuffs at Northern Arizona (Oct. 12) and nine in a three-set match vs. Idaho State (Oct. 17).
- Freshman outside hitter Amethyst Harper has tallied at least 15 kills in four of the past five matches, hitting above .275 in three of them. She had 18 kills and 19 digs, while hitting .310, at Northern Arizona (Oct. 12), and one week prior totaled 21 kills vs. Idaho (Oct. 4).
- Harper ranks fourth in Big Sky play with 3.59 kills per set and is first among freshmen. Harper is the only UM freshman to record 21 or more kills in a four-set match since the 25-point scoring era began in 2008.
- Senior opposite hitter Missy Huddleston is coming off of a 10-kill performance vs. Weber State (Oct. 19) in which she hit .318 (season high). She also added 10 digs vs. the Wildcats, her second double-double of the season.
- For her career, Huddleston has more than 750 kills and just surpassed 100 career blocks.
- Redshirt freshman outside hitter Elsa Godwin was spectacular vs. Idaho State, recording career highs for kills (11) and hitting (.429). She also added a dozen digs for her first career double-double.
- Godwin had nine service aces over a two-match stretch earlier this month and enters the week ranked second in Big Sky play with 0.44 aces per set.
- Senior middle blocker Janna Grimsrud has led Montana for kills nine times, hitting on eight occasions and blocking in 14 matches. She ranks sixth during Big Sky play with 1.10 blocks per set.
- Sophomore libero Sarina Moreno has recorded double-digit digs in six consecutive matches, including a season-high 27 at Northern Arizona (Oct. 12).
- After recording just two blocks through the first three Big Sky matches, freshman middle blocker Kelly Horning is averaging 0.85 per set over the past five matches. At Northern Arizona, she had five blocks, in addition to a career-high seven kills.
- Redshirt freshman Kelsey Nestegard earned her first career start vs. Weber State (Oct. 19), being used as a serving specialist and recording an ace, in addition to serving during several key runs. It was her first extended action since she played as a defensive specialist vs. Grand Canyon (Sept. 7).
- In addition to averaging 8.78 assists per set, senior Ashley Watkins has also been strong at the net. She is averaging 0.49 blocks per set (including a season-high four last week vs. Weber State) and has recorded at least three kills in six of the 11 matches she has played in. Watkins also has three double-doubles.
- Nine of Montana's 13 roster members are freshmen, with eight players making their collegiate debuts this season and seven earning at least one start. Overall, Montana has started at least three freshmen in every match this season.
Players Mentioned
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