Monday, March 1
Missoula, Mont.
7 PM
Montana
2-10, 2-10BSC
1
vs
3
Idaho
5-5, 4-4BSC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 25 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Montana | 10 | 25 | 18 | 16 | 1 |
Photo by: Tommy Martino
Vandals win rematch over Grizzlies
3/1/2021 10:16:00 PM | Volleyball
MISSOULA, Mont. – A night after Montana earned a five-set victory over Idaho, the Vandals responded to win the rematch, beating the Grizzlies in four sets (25-10, 21-25, 25-18, 25-16).
In Montana's Set-2 victory, the Grizzlies held Idaho to .095 hitting, but in Idaho's three set wins, the Vandals hit a combined .429, and hit .323 on the night, after the Grizzlies held them to a .083 clip on Sunday.
"Idaho did a nice job on serve-receive and was able to use its middles a lot more," head coach Allison Lawrence said. "They passed well enough where their middles could hold ours, and they could set away from the middles in moments, which gave their pins a one-on-one look against a single block. Last night they didn't always terminate in those situations and tonight they did."
Montana had three players in double figures for kills, led by sophomore outside hitter Amethyst Harper's 13 kills on .257 hitting. Harper also added 11 digs, recording a double-double for the third time in the past four matches.
Overall, however, the Grizzlies made too many errors, finishing the night with 29 attack errors as Idaho – which ranks 15th nationally for blocking – totaled 17 stuffs.
"We weren't able to slow down an efficient offense and what was working for them, and on offense, we had a very high-error night," Lawrence said. "That combination of things is pretty stressful to try and work out of."
Gallery: (3-1-2021) VB: vs. Idaho (03.01.21)
Montana was no match for Idaho early on, as the Big Sky Conference's top blocking team had three early blocks and jumped out to a 6-1 lead. The Grizzlies were out of sync throughout the set, making 11 attack errors and 12 total, which accounted for nearly half of Idaho's point total.
Montana showed an impressive ability to bounce back in Set 2, however, as the Grizzlies were the ones who jumped out to an early lead. The Grizzlies put their early offensive struggles behind them, recording 10 kills on their first 16 swings, without an error, as Montana led 14-7. Idaho got within a point at 16-15, but Montana then scored the next five points, getting a kill and two blocks from Boutwell. Montana out-blocked Idaho in the set and hit .237 compared to .095 for the Vandals.
"I thought we did a nice job of gathering ourselves after a slow, frazzled start, and we got back to who we are," Lawrence said. "I like that they were able to take a breath, take a minute and find their aggression again.
"When you control the first contact, you can swing so freely and you are free to be aggressive in ways that allow you to be super physical."
Montana held a 2-1 lead to begin Set 3, but Idaho took control by winning the next seven points. The Grizzlies got within three points on five separate occasions but could never get closer, as Idaho was able to force a sideout each time. Idaho scored the first three points of the fourth set and never trailed, winning 25-16.
While the Grizzlies were disappointed by Monday's loss, they showed growth on the week. Their victory on Sunday helped give the team momentum going into the final two weeks of the regular season, beating an Idaho team that has finished .500 or better in conference in 17 consecutive seasons.
"We talked in the locker room about how tonight's disappointment does not change or overshadow the breakthrough we had last night," Lawrence said. "Once again, the part that frustrates me is our potential to be consistent and physical, but the pride and belief comes from the fact that when we do it, we're a good team.
"The next step, and ultimate goal, is to put a whole weekend together."
Montana will next be in action Sunday and Monday at Portland State.
In Montana's Set-2 victory, the Grizzlies held Idaho to .095 hitting, but in Idaho's three set wins, the Vandals hit a combined .429, and hit .323 on the night, after the Grizzlies held them to a .083 clip on Sunday.
"Idaho did a nice job on serve-receive and was able to use its middles a lot more," head coach Allison Lawrence said. "They passed well enough where their middles could hold ours, and they could set away from the middles in moments, which gave their pins a one-on-one look against a single block. Last night they didn't always terminate in those situations and tonight they did."
Montana had three players in double figures for kills, led by sophomore outside hitter Amethyst Harper's 13 kills on .257 hitting. Harper also added 11 digs, recording a double-double for the third time in the past four matches.
She was good all night, but particularly in Montana's Set-2 victory, when she tallied six kills at a .400 clip. Senior middle blocker Peyten Boutwell also was strong in the second set, totaling four of her 10 kills, and doing so without an error (.571 hitting percentage in Set 2). She also finished the match with a team-best five blocks. Freshman outside hitter Sophia Meyers was in double figures for kills for the fourth consecutive match, totaling 10.Nobody is returning that one! Harper with the big kill in set 3!#GoGriz #GrizVB #BigSkyVB pic.twitter.com/7p6uVcQfCO
— Montana Griz VB (@MontanaGrizVB) March 2, 2021
Overall, however, the Grizzlies made too many errors, finishing the night with 29 attack errors as Idaho – which ranks 15th nationally for blocking – totaled 17 stuffs.
"We weren't able to slow down an efficient offense and what was working for them, and on offense, we had a very high-error night," Lawrence said. "That combination of things is pretty stressful to try and work out of."
Montana was no match for Idaho early on, as the Big Sky Conference's top blocking team had three early blocks and jumped out to a 6-1 lead. The Grizzlies were out of sync throughout the set, making 11 attack errors and 12 total, which accounted for nearly half of Idaho's point total.
Montana showed an impressive ability to bounce back in Set 2, however, as the Grizzlies were the ones who jumped out to an early lead. The Grizzlies put their early offensive struggles behind them, recording 10 kills on their first 16 swings, without an error, as Montana led 14-7. Idaho got within a point at 16-15, but Montana then scored the next five points, getting a kill and two blocks from Boutwell. Montana out-blocked Idaho in the set and hit .237 compared to .095 for the Vandals.
"I thought we did a nice job of gathering ourselves after a slow, frazzled start, and we got back to who we are," Lawrence said. "I like that they were able to take a breath, take a minute and find their aggression again.
Lawrence credited the strong second set to Montana's passing, which set up strong opportunities for its attackers.Too easy for Boutwell!#GoGriz #GrizVB #BigSkyVB pic.twitter.com/nl4wqhKulN
— Montana Griz VB (@MontanaGrizVB) March 2, 2021
"When you control the first contact, you can swing so freely and you are free to be aggressive in ways that allow you to be super physical."
Montana held a 2-1 lead to begin Set 3, but Idaho took control by winning the next seven points. The Grizzlies got within three points on five separate occasions but could never get closer, as Idaho was able to force a sideout each time. Idaho scored the first three points of the fourth set and never trailed, winning 25-16.
While the Grizzlies were disappointed by Monday's loss, they showed growth on the week. Their victory on Sunday helped give the team momentum going into the final two weeks of the regular season, beating an Idaho team that has finished .500 or better in conference in 17 consecutive seasons.
"We talked in the locker room about how tonight's disappointment does not change or overshadow the breakthrough we had last night," Lawrence said. "Once again, the part that frustrates me is our potential to be consistent and physical, but the pride and belief comes from the fact that when we do it, we're a good team.
"The next step, and ultimate goal, is to put a whole weekend together."
Montana will next be in action Sunday and Monday at Portland State.
Meyers brings the 🔨!#GoGriz #GrizVB #BigSkyVB pic.twitter.com/EWTwjlmRJp
— Montana Griz VB (@MontanaGrizVB) March 2, 2021
Team Stats
UI
UM
Kills
57
43
Errors
14
29
Attempts
133
134
Hitting %
.323
.104
Points
78.0
53.0
Assists
52
39
Aces
4
2
Blocks
17.0
8.0
Game Leaders
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
10
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
3
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