Grizzlies fall in another 5-set match

Sunday, February 21

Cheney, Wash.

3 PM (MT)

Montana

1-8, 1-8Big Sky

Eastern Washington

4-6, 3-6Big Sky

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Montana	14	25	25	22	7	2
Eastern Washington	25	12	21	25	15	3

Elsa Godwin at Eastern Washington - 2/21/21

Photo by: Bridget Underwood/EWU Athletics

2/21/2021 6:20:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Montana Sports Information

CHENEY, Wash. – For the second time in eight days, Montana was on the losing end of a five-set heartbreaker. The Grizzlies lost to Eastern Washington on Sunday afternoon, 3-2 (25-14, 12-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-7).

After dropping the first set, Montana put together its best set of the season, hitting .435 and winning 25-12. The Grizzlies then won the third set, 25-21, and were on their way toward a four-set win, taking a 16-14 lead in Set 4.

Eastern Washington, however, scored the next six points to set up a 25-22 win in the fourth set, and carried that momentum over to the fifth set, jumping out to a 3-0 lead and never trailing.

"When you're down by multiple points in the fifth set, because it's so short, it feels even more drastic," head coach Allison Lawrence said. "They proved in the fifth set that they were comfortable in their own gym and they felt in control."

Freshman Sophia Meyers led Montana on offense with 11 kills, followed by sophomore Amethyst Harper, with 10. Both attackers recorded double-doubles, totaling 12 and 13 digs, respectively.

In addition to Meyers' kills, the freshman also served up four aces. As a team, Montana totaled 12 service aces, a figure that has been reached just one other time in the past 12 seasons. Five different Grizzlies had an ace, led by four apiece for Meyers and sophomore outside hitter Elsa Godwin. Freshman libero Sarah Ashley added two, while freshman setter Carly Anderson and sophomore defensive specialist Kelsey Nestegard each recorded one.

That makes for 🔟 service aces for the Griz!#GrizVB #GoGriz #BigSkyVB pic.twitter.com/meviqT3L3E
— Montana Griz VB (@MontanaGrizVB) February 21, 2021

Anderson nearly had her first career double-double with 39 assists and a career-high nine digs, plus four kills.

As a team, Montana out-dug and out-blocked Eastern Washington, but the Eagles were able to deliver nine more kills than Montana.

Montana started the game flat and lost 25-14. After recording eight kills compared to seven errors (.030 hitting percentage) in the first set, however, Montana showed major correction in the second set, recording 10 kills and zero errors on just 23 swings. The Grizzlies hit a season-best .435 in the set and never trailed.

HARPER WITH THE KILL!#GrizVB #GoGriz #BigSkyVB pic.twitter.com/inwcgFWSdJ
— Montana Griz VB (@MontanaGrizVB) February 21, 2021

Montana started the frame with three consecutive points, which led to leads of 13-7 and 19-10. After the Eagles got within seven points, 19-12, Montana closed the frame on a 6-0 run. The 25-12 win was Montana's widest margin of victory of the season.

"After that first set, where it felt like we were tentative, we talked about responding in the most aggressive way we can, in every way we can," Lawrence said. "Our serve-receive ironed out, we put a lot of pressure on them from the service line and that led to great offense."

Montana had five service aces in the second set alone, and four more in Set 3, which the Grizzlies won, 25-21.

"We did a good job of exposing some of their serve-receive weaknesses, and going at it with pace," Lawrence said of the team's serving. "It was a great serving night, and when we were serving well we felt really under control."

The third set featured eight ties and six lead changes early, but Montana took control midway through, stringing together five of six points to turn a 14-13 deficit into an 18-15 lead. It was the largest lead of the set by either team, up to that point. During the 5-1 run, Montana got a kill and ace from Meyers, who finished the set with five kills, including on three of the Grizzlies' final five points.

Meyers showing no mercy behind her swing! #GrizVB #GoGriz #BigSkyVB pic.twitter.com/YKezETYlPH
— Montana Griz VB (@MontanaGrizVB) February 21, 2021

Montana scored the first point of the fourth set, and although there were 10 ties, trailed for just five of the first 30 points. A kill from Godwin followed by a Meyers ace gave Montana a 16-14 advantage.

Eastern Washington, though, scored the next six points, taking advantage of four Montana errors. The Grizzlies would fight back to within two twice, but lost the set 25-22.

"We were one breakdown away from a really clean fourth set, as well, and winning the match in four," Lawrence said.

In a shortened fifth set, Eastern Washington scored the first three points. Montana later used a 4-0 run to get within a point, 7-6, but the Eagles scored eight of the final nine points and hit .750 (9-0-12) in the set.

Montana will now try to clean up a few of its inefficiencies before the two teams meet again Monday afternoon (3 p.m. MT on Pluto TV channel 1053).

"We need to rest tonight in a way that allows us to replicate the same level of energy as today, but also learn what went wrong in key moments," Lawrence said. "I think we're ready for a breakout moment in the second match."