Grizzlies looking for complete series at Portland State

Sunday, March 7

Portland, Ore.

2 PM (MT)

Montana

Portland State

Photo by: Tommy Martino

Grizzlies looking for complete series at Portland State

3/5/2021 11:05:00 PM | Volleyball

Schedule Roster Statistics

By: Montana Sports Information

MONTANA VS. PORTLAND STATE
Sunday / 2 p.m. (MT) / Portland, Oregon
Monday / 7 p.m. (MT) / Portland, Oregon

Watch: Pluto TV (ch. 1051)
Live Stats

Montana was finally on the winning end of a tight match last Sunday, beating Idaho in five sets.

The victory was a breakthrough moment for the Grizzlies, who had lost nine consecutive matches, including three in heartbreaking fashion. Not only that, but it was just Montana's third win over Idaho in the past 21 seasons.

The Vandals responded on Monday night, beating the Grizzlies in four sets, to salvage a series split.

After a strong showing vs. Idaho – a team that has finished .500 or better in conference in 17 consecutive seasons – the next step for the Grizzlies is to put together a full weekend.

"Putting together an entire weekend is our ultimate goal," Lawrence said. "As a team that is experiencing so much, and progressing and evolving each week, the next thing in sight for us is to put together a really good, aggressive, complete weekend."

That opportunity will come this weekend, when Montana faces a Portland State team facing similar obstacles.

Like the Grizzlies, Portland State won its season opener, a five-set non-conference victory over Idaho, but has since been on the losing end of 11 straight matches. Portland State has been competitive in nearly all of them, going to five sets six times and being swept just twice, but hasn't been able to get over the hump.

Action this weekend can be streamed on Pluto TV (channel 1051), with matches Sunday at 2 p.m. (MT) and Monday at 7 p.m. (MT).

"This past weekend, we showed glimpses of being able to prepare, execute and take control of a match," Lawrence said. "Even in our loss, when we're not doing that consistently, we're learning how to do it.

"We want to come out with a win on Sunday, and then emotionally be able to respond to a win, learn what winning teaches you and carry that into the next night."

Back on the road! Tune in to Pluto TV (ch. 1051) on Sunday and Monday as we take on Portland State! #GoGriz #GrizVB
Posted by Montana Griz Volleyball on Friday, March 5, 2021

MORE FROM THE WIN
Montana came out ready against the Vandals, winning the opening set by a margin of 25-11 – the Grizzlies' largest set win of the season. In the frame, Montana out-hit Idaho .379 to -.061 and was able to side out at a 75-percent rate.

Idaho bounced back to win the second set by the same score, 25-11, before Montana took a 2-1 match lead with a 25-18 win in Set 3. Montana then had an opportunity to close the match in four sets, leading for nearly the entire set, including by a score of 18-11 and holding a match-point opportunity at 24-23. Instead, the Vandals rallied to win the final three points to send the match to five sets.

In the fifth set, the Grizzlies scored three straight points to break a 5-5 tie and never trailed from that point forward, winning 16-14.

Several players had strong performances in the match and contributed to the victory:

Senior middle blocker Peyten Boutwell totaled 15 kills, but even bigger was her .375 hitting percentage. She also added five blocks.
Libero Sarina Moreno returned to the lineup after missing three consecutive matches due to an ankle injury suffered on Feb. 14. Moreno had one of the best matches of her junior season, totaling 20 digs.
Freshman outside hitter Sophia Meyers led all players with 18 kills, recording a double-double with 12 digs.
Freshman middle blocker Madi Chuhlantseff recorded a career-best seven blocks and had a match-clinching kill.
Sophomore outside hitter Elsa Godwin recorded 17 digs, five blocks and a service ace.
Freshman setter Carly Anderson dished out 41 assists while also adding nine digs, five kills, four blocks and one service ace.

12 QUESTIONS WITH CARLY ANDERSON
After your 2020 season got pushed back to the spring, how exciting is it to finally be playing your first collegiate season?
It means a lot, and I feel like it's such a great opportunity. I'm super grateful to play, and I think I hold that with ever practice and every match. It's a really exciting thing to have in my life right now.

How have you seen your game improve since you got to campus?
My physicality has gotten a lot better. I've gotten a lot stronger in the weight room and have seen that show up in different parts of my game, as well. Volleyball is a bit of a faster game down here in the States, and especially at the college level, but I've adjusted to that and have gotten a lot better.

As a setter, your main role is to get the ball to an attacker, but your versatility allows you to do so much more than that. Besides setting, what is your favorite thing to do on the volleyball court?
I'd probably say attacking. Defense and serving are their own separate things, but with attacking, I can hold blockers with my own attack. Coming in, I wanted to make myself known as an attacker in the conference, and I think that's allowed me to hold blocks and help our team out.

Setters are referred to as the quarterback of a volleyball team, having to make split-second decisions on who to set the ball to while also reading what the defense is doing. What's going through your head while you're setting up a play?
There's honestly not much going on in my head when I play, almost nothing actually. It's a lot of volleyball IQ with muscle memory. I try not to change up my own game to adapt to other teams, as much as I can. Most of it is muscle memory and putting up hittable balls. It's usually just in-the-moment stuff that you learn with practice and playing.

Growing up in Ontario, Canada, what made you decide to come to the United States for college?
I always knew I wanted to go to the States, even when I didn't know I wanted to play volleyball. I watched my sister get recruited to Georgia (to swim), and always knew it was something I wanted to do. There are some great things that would have come with staying in Canada, but to me, there wasn't another option in my head.

Had you been to Montana before your recruiting visit?
To be honest, I didn't even know where Montana was. People had explained to me how beautiful it is and everything you can do outdoors while exploring the state. I knew that coming in, but now being able to experience it myself, it takes it to another level. I've traveled a lot, all over the world, but I've never really been around this area of the country, so getting to come here and explore has been cool, as well as traveling to the different places in our conference.

Are the typical Canadian stereotypes true?
There are definitely some. I think I probably say 'sorry' too much, but we don't actually live in igloos. I don't think Canadians are genuinely any nicer than the average American, but maybe there's a bit of politeness to us.

Have you picked up any sayings in Montana, or brought any Canadian words with you?
I started saying y'all. It was something I used a little bit in high school, but I've started using it a lot. As for Canadian terms, there are a couple cheers that I used to do back in Canada that I'm trying to get the team to do. Catie (Semadeni) has started saying 'sorry' with a bit of an accent, like me.

What are you studying, and do you have any idea what you want to do with your degree down the road?
I'm studying health and human performance, or integrated physiology as they now call it. I think I want to be a PT (physical therapist) or an AT (athletic trainer). The courses are mainly the same until your junior year, so I can stay pretty general until I decide specifically what I want to do.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not playing volleyball?
I really like the outdoors and going on walks. I've really enjoyed exploring Missoula because it's so different from my hometown. When I'm back home, I'm usually spending time with my family, boyfriend and dogs.

I hear you're constantly around dogs back home, thanks to your dad's profession.
My dad has a dog-boarding business. It's like doggy daycare. We board dogs from a couple hours to a couple weeks, and there's usually anywhere from two to eight or nine dogs, plus my dog, at our house. Some people think I'm crazy for that and some love it, but I've always thought it was really fun.

What or who motivates you?
I would say there are definitely people in my life who motivate me, but it's also really internal. I can't say there's a single person or goal, just a lot of factors. My family, teammates I've played with, coaches I've played for… I find that if you're successful doing something when you're young, you want to keep driving and keep going, and if you're not, it's a different type of drive.

GRIZ TRACKS

Montana has two players from the Beaver State, with middle blockers Peyten Boutwell (Lake Oswego) and Madi Chuhlantseff (Salem) growing up in Oregon. Additionally, head coach Allison Lawrence played collegiately at Oregon State.
Montana is coming off its best series of the season, earning a five-set win over Idaho before taking the Vandals to four sets in the second match.
In the Grizzlies' win over Idaho, Montana held the Vandals to .083 hitting (44-31-157). A Griz opponent's season low was .194. Additionally, Montana out-blocked Idaho, 14.0 to 12.0, despite the Vandals entering the match ranked 15^th nationally for blocking.

On offense, Montana hit .333 or better in two of its three set wins, led by senior Peyten Boutwell (15 kills on .375 hitting).
The win over Idaho snapped Montana's nine-match losing skid.
Five of Montana's 12 matches, and four of the past six, have gone to five sets. Montana had a match-point opportunity vs. Montana State (Feb. 14) and led the Eagles 2-1 (Feb. 21) and 2-0 (Feb. 22).
The Grizzlies' best statistical category is blocking, averaging 1.86 blocks per set.
The Grizzlies have won the blocking battle six times this year, including five of the past eight matches. In a season-opening win over Idaho State, Montana recorded 14 blocks, a total that has been surpassed just twice dating back to the 2015 season. The Grizzlies again tallied 14 team blocks in a win over Idaho (Feb. 28), out-blocking a Vandals team that led the Big Sky and ranked 15^th nationally for the category.
Montana recorded 12 service aces at Eastern Washington (Feb. 21), Montana's second-highest total in a match dating back to 2008.
Montana has out-dug its opponent in eight of 12 matches this season, totaling a season-high 74 vs. Idaho (Feb. 28).
Montana has made fewer service errors than its opponent in nine of 12 matches this season, averaging 1.64 per set (compared to a 2.32 average for its opponents).

INDIVIDUALLY SPEAKING

Junior libero Sarina Moreno ranks eighth in Big Sky play with 3.51 digs per set… She leads Montana with a .967 serve-receive percentage… Has been in double figures for digs in seven of the nine matches she has played in… Returned to the lineup last week after missing parts of four matches with an ankle injury… Tallied 20 digs in a five-set win over Idaho (Feb. 28)… Recorded a season-high 22 digs against Weber State (Feb. 1), the highest dig total by a Big Sky player in a four-set match this season… Moreno also recorded a service ace in three consecutive matches from (Jan. 31-Feb. 7), and four matches total… Has 927 career digs and set a Montana freshman record with 429 digs in 2018.
Freshman outside hitter Sophia Meyers has been in double figures for kills in 10 of 12 matches this season, including the last four and five in a row from Jan. 31 through Feb. 14… She is averaging 2.64 kills per set (second on the team) and has led Montana for kills six times this season... Recorded three consecutive double-doubles from Feb. 21-28, including a career-high 18 kills and 12 digs in a five-set win over Idaho (Feb. 28)… Tallied 19 digs at Eastern Washington (Feb. 22)… She also had seven service aces in the two matches at Eastern Washington, and has recorded an ace in five consecutive matches overall… In a three-set match vs. Weber State (Jan. 31), Meyers had 10 kills and zero errors, hitting .526.
Freshman setter Carly Anderson has started all 12 matches this season, and is averaging 8.12 assists per set (fifth in Big Sky play)… The versatile athlete also ranks third on the team for blocking (0.56 per set), third for service aces (10) and fourth for digs (1.58 per set)… She also has 32 kills at the net, compared to six errors, including four or more kills in four consecutive matches (Feb. 15-28).
Freshman middle blocker Madi Chuhlantseff has started all 12 matches at middle blocker… She ranks second on the team for blocking (0.80 per set) and hitting percentage (.203), and fourth for kills (1.16 per set)… Chuhlantseff has led Montana for blocking a team-high eight times (including ties), recording a career-high seven in a five-set win over Idaho (Feb. 28)… Has recorded seven or more kills in a match four times, recording two or fewer errors in all four contests… Hit .471 vs. Eastern Washington (Feb. 22), recording eight kills and zero errors (8-0-17)… Had a career-high nine kills on just 14 swings (.500 hitting percentage) vs. Montana State (Feb. 14), in addition to the first three service aces of her career... During a two-match series vs. Weber State (Jan. 31-Feb. 1), Chuhlantseff recorded 15 kills on .343 hitting, in addition to 1.14 blocks per set.
Sophomore defensive specialist Isabelle Garrido ranks fourth on the team for digs (2.17 per set)… She has been in double figures for digs three times in six matches, and has started three matches at defensive specialist… Has missed the past six matches due to injury… As a freshman in 2019, played in 29 matches (eight starts) and recorded 212 digs (2.04 per set) and 16 service aces.
Sophomore Elsa Godwin has earned nine starts at outside hitter, including each of the past eight matches… She leads the team with 13 service aces and ranks third with 2.28 digs per set… Has also added 39 kills and 16 blocks… Recorded a season-high 10 kills vs. Montana State (Feb. 14)… In that match, she recorded her first double-double of the season, also adding 11 digs… Has been in double figures for digs in four of the past six matches, recording a season-high 17 in a five-set win over Idaho (Feb. 28)… Has a service ace in seven matches, including multiple aces four times, led by four against Eastern Washington (Feb. 21)…. Ranked fourth in Big Sky play for service aces in 2019.
Sophomore outside hitter Amethyst Harper leads Montana with 2.76 kills per set… She was in double figures for kills in Montana's first five matches, and 17 straight matches dating back to 2019… Has been in double figures for kills eight times this season, recording back-to-back double-doubles at Eastern Washington (Feb. 21-22)… In the second match (Feb. 22), Harper tallied a season-high 18 kills… She has led Montana for kills eight times this season (including ties)… Harper also leads the team with 138 digs (2.76 per set) and ranks second for serve-receive percentage (.955)… She has six double-doubles and has been in double figures for digs in four consecutive matches… As a freshman in 2019, Harper ranked fifth in Big Sky play for kills (3.77 per set) and set a Montana freshman record with 355.
Freshman middle blocker Ellie Scherffius made her collegiate debut vs. Idaho (Feb. 28), recording a kill in both matches vs. the Vandals, in addition to a block.
Freshman outside hitter/defensive specialist Sarah Ashley ranks 10^th in Big Sky play with 0.36 service aces per set… After not playing in the season's first five matches, she has seen time in each of the past seven matches, including four (three starts) at libero (Feb. 14-22)… Was in double figures for digs in all four of those matches, recording at least one service ace in each match as well… Recorded a career-high 20 digs at Eastern Washington (Feb. 22)… Had a series to remember vs. Montana State (Feb. 14-15), leading Montana for digs in both matches (3.00 digs-per-set average) and recording six service aces… Twice served during 8-0 Montana runs, including a Set-4 victory on Feb. 14 that turned a 12-12 tie into a 20-12 lead… Ashley had four aces in that stretch alone and five in the match (third-most in a match this season by a Big Sky athlete)… Made her collegiate debut at Southern Utah (Feb. 8), playing parts of the final two sets and recording four digs.
Senior middle blocker Peyten Boutwell leads the Grizzlies for blocking (0.82 per set) and hitting percentage (.255)… Also ranks third for kills (2.22)… The graduate transfer has started all 12 matches…. Has recorded seven or more kills in nine of 12 matches, and four or more blocks six times… In a two-match series vs. Idaho (Feb. 28-March 1), she averaged 2.78 kills and 1.11 blocks per set, recording 15 kills on .375 hitting in a five-set win over the Vandals… Recorded a career-high 18 kills and four blocks vs. Montana State (Feb. 14)… In her Griz debut (at Idaho State, Jan. 24), she became the first Grizzly since 2014 to record 10 blocks, and the first player since 2010 to record a kills/blocks double-double (15 kills, 10 blocks)… Her .609 hitting percentage that day is the second-best by a Big Sky player this season, as were here 10 blocks… Her breakout senior season comes after she recorded 22 kills and 21 blocks from 2016-19 at UC Riverside and Abilene Christian (one kill, zero blocks in the past three seasons).
Sophomore right-side hitter Catie Semadeni has played in eight matches, starting two for the Grizzlies … She has recorded 11 kills, seven digs and five blocks… As a freshman in 2019, she started 14 matches and recorded 100 kills.
Sophomore defensive specialist Kelsey Nestegard has played in seven of Montana's 12 matches, recording three service aces, after totaling two a season ago as a freshman… She had a pair of aces vs. Weber State (Feb. 1)… Was named the team's scout-team MVP in 2019, being praised by her teammates for competitive energy and passion.

SERIES VS. THE VIKINGS
Montana has won four of the past seven matchups vs. Portland State, including last year's four-set win in Missoula. In Portland, however, it has been a different story as the Grizzlies have won just once since 2000 (1-17, with the lone win coming in 2015). The Vikings lead the all-time series 59-18 dating back to 1975.

In last year's victory, Montana out-hit Portland State, .215 to .109, totaling 11 more blocks, 11 more digs, three more service aces and two more blocks. Outside hitters Amethyst Harper led all players with 19 kills and four blocks, in addition to 14 digs. Elsa Godwin added 11 kills and two aces, while Sarina Moreno chipped in with 19 digs and a pair of aces.

SCOUTING PORTLAND STATE

Similar to Montana, Portland State won its first match of the season, a 3-2 non-conference victory over Idaho, before losing its next 11 matches.
Despite their record, the Vikings are better than their one win indicates, with six of their 11 losses coming in five sets. Portland State has lost in straight sets just twice.
Portland State leads the Big Sky Conference for digs, averaging 16.33 per set. Sophomore libero Ellie Snook leads the league with 4.79 digs per set (61^st in NCAA) and recorded a season-high 30 digs last week vs. Montana State. In 2019, Snook – a second-team All-Big Sky selection – led all freshmen in the NCAA with a Portland State single-season record 5.47 digs per set.
Junior outside hitter Megan Sester averages 3.04 kills per set, one of four Vikings averaging at least 2.0 kills per frame.
Sophomore middle blocker Julia Haynie ranks fourth in Big Sky play with a .320 hitting percentage. She has hit .300 or better in seven of the Vikings' 12 matches this season.
Junior setter Ally Wada ranks fourth in Big Sky play with 8.47 assists per set. Senior Maddy Reeb, though, started at setter midway through the series vs. Montana State and recorded a triple double (14 kills, 23 assists, 12 digs). She is one of three players in the nation this season to record multiple triple-doubles.
Junior outside hitter Parker Webb recorded back-to-back double-doubles vs. the Bobcats, including 17 kills and 12 digs in Saturday's match. She leads the Vikings with 104 kills on the season.
Freshman middle blocker Ashleigh Barto ranks ninth in Big Sky play with 0.98 blocks per set. Against Montana State, she set a career high with six blocks, in addition to eight kills on .375 hitting.
Aside from digs, Portland State's next-best statistical categories are hitting percentage, assists and kills (seventh).
Michael Seemann is in his 14^th season at Portland State, winning more than 200 career matches, including eight 20-win seasons. The Vikings have won two Big Sky titles under Seemann's guidance.