Photo by: Derek Johnson
10 questions leading into Friday’s exhibition match vs. North Dakota
8/22/2019 11:39:00 AM | Volleyball
Nearly two weeks into its preseason training camp, Montana will mix things up on Friday by hosting North Dakota in an exhibition volleyball match. The contest begins at noon in the West Auxiliary Gym and is free to the public. Afterward, the team is hosting a free youth clinic (advanced registration online) and the Great Griz Encounter.
Here are 10 questions leading into Friday's exhibition match:
How does it work? I thought exhibition contests were only for basketball.
While it's most prevalent in men's and women's basketball, the NCAA allows volleyball – and other sports – to also hold exhibition contests. The scrimmages have been gaining steam in volleyball in recent years, and this is believed to be the first time Montana has held one. Making Friday's match even more special is the fact that it comes against a Division I opponent. Most exhibition matches around the country – and especially in this region – are against lower-level competition, so Friday will be a great opportunity for growth.
What's in it for Montana?
Montana would generally hold an intrasquad scrimmage this weekend, giving players the chance to see 'live' action before being thrown into a match a week later. Third-year head coach Allison Lawrence sees value in any form of competition, but particularly when there's a different team across the net.
"Competition is how you grow, regardless of what it looks like," Lawrence said. "I think the value of getting to play a different team is that we get a better glimpse of what other teams – teams who don't know us as well – do to try and be successful against us."
Montana and North Dakota won't play each other in the regular season. No statistics or video will be published from Friday. So really, the exhibition contest is a chance for both teams to iron out their lineups before it really counts.
Is the exhibition match really free?
Yes, it is! Even better, since North Dakota is making the trip all the way out to Missoula, the teams have agreed to play five sets, regardless of the score.
The match is at noon. What should I do the rest of the afternoon, though?
Following the exhibition match, the Montana student-athletes and coaching staff are hosting a free youth clinic. The clinic will take participants through stations covering all aspects of the sport of volleyball. It is open to all girls and boys in sixth grade or younger. While it is free, advanced registration online is required.
Even better, following the youth clinic, Montana's athletics department is hosting its annual Great Griz Encounter, which features photos and autographs with the volleyball and football teams, games, food, and a movie on the Washington-Grizzly Stadium video board.
"Friday will be a great way for us to get together and share our enthusiasm for all of the fall sports with all of Griz Nation," Lawrence said. "I feel like it's a glimpse of what's to come for the upcoming year, and it's going to be a really fun day."
It looks like Montana has a pretty young team. Who should I watch for?
The Grizzlies have nine players on their roster who have never stepped on the court during a collegiate volleyball match, including six true freshmen. Many of them will see action this fall, with several being asked to fill vital roles on the team. It makes Friday's exhibition match even more valuable, allowing the newcomers to get a match-like simulation before it really counts.
Gallery: (8/14/2019) VB: Preseason Practice (8.14.19)
It's not you, it's me
Lawrence made it clear she wants to try and win every point. That would be a sign that her team is continuing to make progress. But Friday's match is about more than beating the Fighting Hawks.
"The No. 1 goal is not different from winning, but it's more of the experience that leads to success," Lawrence said. "We want to put people in different situations so we can practice how to get out of them. We'll be successful sometimes and unsuccessful at other times, but hopefully when we experience a certain situation again in a match, we can look back and remember how we got through it previously."
Regardless of the score, Montana will stick to its plan, looking at different rotations and exploring other possibilities. The way Montana sees it, Friday is a way to test things out and be exposed by another team, without the consequences.
"We have our goals on our side, and we're just using their side to expose weaknesses on our own side," Lawrence said. "We're trying to keep the focus on us, and it's really fun to do that and not have to worry about the pressure of a match situation.
"Both of our coaching staffs are really relaxed going into Friday and just want to try different things, get everyone time and really use it like a practice, but against a team other than the one we know best."
Even if the match doesn't count, what should I know about North Dakota?
You might remember, just two years ago, North Dakota was a member of the Big Sky Conference. The Fighting Hawks won the league on their way out, representing the Big Sky at the 2016 and 2017 NCAA tournaments. UND won at least 20 matches in five consecutive seasons from 2013-17, before going 14-18 in 2018.
Now under new leadership in head coach Jeremiah Tiffin, the Fighting Hawks were picked to finish sixth in the Summit League preseason poll. Lone senior Ashley Brueggeman was named a preseason player to watch after averaging 2.5 kills per set from the right side in 2018. Sophomore middle blocker Lexi Ahrens averaged 1.89 kills per set on .235 hitting, in addition to 0.64 blocks per set, during her freshman campaign.
What should we expect from the home squad this year?
Asked to rebuild a struggling program, Montana has improved each season under Lawrence, winning 10 matches in 2018 – the team's highest win total since 2013. The Grizzlies won seven Big Sky matches and qualified for the conference tournament for the first time since 2014. From the year before Lawrence took over to 2018, Montana has improved in every statistical category, rising by at least three spots in the Big Sky rankings in every category.
The Grizzlies will be challenged early on, as the team graduated a large portion of its talent from 2018. Back are a trio of senior leaders who will carry the team statistically, including setter Ashley Watkins and outside hitter Missy Huddleston, in addition to middle blocker Janna Grimsrud and sophomore libero Sarina Moreno. Aside from those four, though, Montana's other nine roster members are either true freshmen or redshirt freshmen.
Despite the youth, Lawrence is optimistic.
"I'm really excited about the team we have and the progress we've shown already in less than two weeks," Lawrence said. "In some ways we're very young, but we have three seniors who are so driven to succeed and lead, and a group of freshmen that is equally as hungry. Will there be growing pains? Yes, but I like who we are becoming."
Montana was picked to finish ninth in the Big Sky preseason poll, ahead of Southern Utah and Eastern Washington.
When is my next chance to see the volleyball team in action?
Montana opens its regular season next Friday, Aug. 30, in Davis, California. The Grizzlies will play host UC Davis, in addition to Pacific and San Jose State. Montana's 11-game home slate begins Sept. 13-14 with the Farmers State Bank Invitational. Season tickets can be purchased online, by calling 1-888-MONTANA or in person at the Adams Center box office.
Here are 10 questions leading into Friday's exhibition match:
How does it work? I thought exhibition contests were only for basketball.
While it's most prevalent in men's and women's basketball, the NCAA allows volleyball – and other sports – to also hold exhibition contests. The scrimmages have been gaining steam in volleyball in recent years, and this is believed to be the first time Montana has held one. Making Friday's match even more special is the fact that it comes against a Division I opponent. Most exhibition matches around the country – and especially in this region – are against lower-level competition, so Friday will be a great opportunity for growth.
What's in it for Montana?
Montana would generally hold an intrasquad scrimmage this weekend, giving players the chance to see 'live' action before being thrown into a match a week later. Third-year head coach Allison Lawrence sees value in any form of competition, but particularly when there's a different team across the net.
"Competition is how you grow, regardless of what it looks like," Lawrence said. "I think the value of getting to play a different team is that we get a better glimpse of what other teams – teams who don't know us as well – do to try and be successful against us."
Montana and North Dakota won't play each other in the regular season. No statistics or video will be published from Friday. So really, the exhibition contest is a chance for both teams to iron out their lineups before it really counts.
Is the exhibition match really free?
Yes, it is! Even better, since North Dakota is making the trip all the way out to Missoula, the teams have agreed to play five sets, regardless of the score.
The match is at noon. What should I do the rest of the afternoon, though?
Following the exhibition match, the Montana student-athletes and coaching staff are hosting a free youth clinic. The clinic will take participants through stations covering all aspects of the sport of volleyball. It is open to all girls and boys in sixth grade or younger. While it is free, advanced registration online is required.
Even better, following the youth clinic, Montana's athletics department is hosting its annual Great Griz Encounter, which features photos and autographs with the volleyball and football teams, games, food, and a movie on the Washington-Grizzly Stadium video board.
"Friday will be a great way for us to get together and share our enthusiasm for all of the fall sports with all of Griz Nation," Lawrence said. "I feel like it's a glimpse of what's to come for the upcoming year, and it's going to be a really fun day."
We're hosting a FREE youth clinic after our FREE exhibition match on Friday. It's not too late to register your child! #GoGriz
— Montana Griz VB (@MontanaGrizVB) August 21, 2019
🖊️ https://t.co/6Z6EivAkO8
🕛 #GrizVB exhibition match vs. North Dakota
🕝 Youth clinic
🕔 Great Griz Encounter pic.twitter.com/ZeraoZqrmj
Bring the whole family and enjoy a fun evening in Washington-Grizzly Stadium!
— Montana Grizzlies (@UMGRIZZLIES) August 20, 2019
The @MontanaGrizFB, @MontanaGrizVB, and @umspiritsquad teams can't wait to meet you!#GoGriz | #UpWithMontana @umontana pic.twitter.com/wTny73JFLJ
It looks like Montana has a pretty young team. Who should I watch for?
The Grizzlies have nine players on their roster who have never stepped on the court during a collegiate volleyball match, including six true freshmen. Many of them will see action this fall, with several being asked to fill vital roles on the team. It makes Friday's exhibition match even more valuable, allowing the newcomers to get a match-like simulation before it really counts.
It's not you, it's me
Lawrence made it clear she wants to try and win every point. That would be a sign that her team is continuing to make progress. But Friday's match is about more than beating the Fighting Hawks.
"The No. 1 goal is not different from winning, but it's more of the experience that leads to success," Lawrence said. "We want to put people in different situations so we can practice how to get out of them. We'll be successful sometimes and unsuccessful at other times, but hopefully when we experience a certain situation again in a match, we can look back and remember how we got through it previously."
Regardless of the score, Montana will stick to its plan, looking at different rotations and exploring other possibilities. The way Montana sees it, Friday is a way to test things out and be exposed by another team, without the consequences.
"We have our goals on our side, and we're just using their side to expose weaknesses on our own side," Lawrence said. "We're trying to keep the focus on us, and it's really fun to do that and not have to worry about the pressure of a match situation.
"Both of our coaching staffs are really relaxed going into Friday and just want to try different things, get everyone time and really use it like a practice, but against a team other than the one we know best."
Even if the match doesn't count, what should I know about North Dakota?
You might remember, just two years ago, North Dakota was a member of the Big Sky Conference. The Fighting Hawks won the league on their way out, representing the Big Sky at the 2016 and 2017 NCAA tournaments. UND won at least 20 matches in five consecutive seasons from 2013-17, before going 14-18 in 2018.
Now under new leadership in head coach Jeremiah Tiffin, the Fighting Hawks were picked to finish sixth in the Summit League preseason poll. Lone senior Ashley Brueggeman was named a preseason player to watch after averaging 2.5 kills per set from the right side in 2018. Sophomore middle blocker Lexi Ahrens averaged 1.89 kills per set on .235 hitting, in addition to 0.64 blocks per set, during her freshman campaign.
What should we expect from the home squad this year?
Asked to rebuild a struggling program, Montana has improved each season under Lawrence, winning 10 matches in 2018 – the team's highest win total since 2013. The Grizzlies won seven Big Sky matches and qualified for the conference tournament for the first time since 2014. From the year before Lawrence took over to 2018, Montana has improved in every statistical category, rising by at least three spots in the Big Sky rankings in every category.
The Grizzlies will be challenged early on, as the team graduated a large portion of its talent from 2018. Back are a trio of senior leaders who will carry the team statistically, including setter Ashley Watkins and outside hitter Missy Huddleston, in addition to middle blocker Janna Grimsrud and sophomore libero Sarina Moreno. Aside from those four, though, Montana's other nine roster members are either true freshmen or redshirt freshmen.
Despite the youth, Lawrence is optimistic.
"I'm really excited about the team we have and the progress we've shown already in less than two weeks," Lawrence said. "In some ways we're very young, but we have three seniors who are so driven to succeed and lead, and a group of freshmen that is equally as hungry. Will there be growing pains? Yes, but I like who we are becoming."
Montana was picked to finish ninth in the Big Sky preseason poll, ahead of Southern Utah and Eastern Washington.
When is my next chance to see the volleyball team in action?
Montana opens its regular season next Friday, Aug. 30, in Davis, California. The Grizzlies will play host UC Davis, in addition to Pacific and San Jose State. Montana's 11-game home slate begins Sept. 13-14 with the Farmers State Bank Invitational. Season tickets can be purchased online, by calling 1-888-MONTANA or in person at the Adams Center box office.
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