With sophomore season behind her, Semadeni is flourishing, hungry for more

Montana vs. Idaho State
Thursday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.
Tickets / Watch / Live Stats

Montana vs. Weber State
Saturday, Oct. 2 at 2 p.m.
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Now in her third season in Missoula, Catie Semadeni feels like she's starting to get comfortable with the college game, and more importantly, get comfortable with who she is as a player.

Semadeni played a strong role as a true freshman in 2019, recording 100 kills (1.32 per set) and earning 14 starts. The majority of her production came over the final 11 matches of the year (nine starts) after moving from the left pin to the right.

It was the position she played way back when she first was introduced to volleyball, and a spot she feels comfortable at, in large part due to her goofy-feet approach.

On the right side, she flourished, averaging 1.57 kills per set on .255 hitting, and recording at least five kills on nine occasions. For comparison, through the first 16 matches – all on the left side – Semadeni was averaging 0.85 kills per set on -.034 hitting.

With Semadeni's move to the right side, the team took off, as well, posting a winning record during that span to reach the Big Sky Conference tournament.

After a strong freshman campaign, however, Semadeni saw a sophomore slump during Montana's spring season. She played in 10 of the Grizzlies' 16 matches and was relatively ineffective, totaling just 22 kills on .011 hitting (with nearly half of her kills coming in the season finale, when she totaled nine kills at a .179 clip).

"A big thing for me was timing," Semadeni said. "I couldn't get my timing right, and I was trying to work on a lot of things individually that took work. With a faster season and a lot of new parts, it just became overwhelming."

It was deeper than just timing, though. Semadeni was working with a new setter and, in many ways, a brand-new roster. There was the COVID-19 pandemic that led to a delayed season, playing in masks and a lot of uncertainty. There was online school and so much more.

There were a lot of factors that went into her sophomore season, but regardless of the reasoning, she wanted to move past it.

So she took it upon herself to do that.

She worked on her mental game by taking mindset classes over the summer. She says those sessions gave her a clearer focus and helped her fall in love with the grind that is required of a collegiate athlete.

Her first spring offseason was wiped out due to COVID-19 and her second offseason became an abbreviated spring season. She still hasn't had a true offseason, but got a taste of it this past summer, spending more time in the gym during a time when workouts are not required.

"I was here all summer, and a bunch of my teammates were here, and we just grinded so hard," Semadeni said. "It was the first time since I've been here that we put concentrated work into the offseason and trying to get comfortable for the fall."

Both the mindset classes and extra reps in the gym are paying off. Semadeni is back on track, flashing the potential she showed as a freshman and then some.

Through her first two seasons, Semadeni reached double figures for kills three times in 36 matches. This fall, she's already done so four times in 12 contests.

It started on the opening day of the season, when she totaled 10 kills in a win over Kennesaw State and 11 that afternoon vs. Eastern Michigan. Even more impressive, she hit above .300 in both matches.

More recently, Semadeni led the Grizzlies with 10 kills on .350 hitting vs. CSU Bakersfield before a team-best 11 kills on .360 hitting last week at Northern Colorado. During Montana's dramatic second set that reached a final score of 30-28, Semadeni came through clutch with three kills with the Grizzlies either tied or facing set point.

Catie Semadeni with family, friends at Northern Colorado - 9/23/21

Catie Semadeni with family, friends at Northern Colorado - 9/23/21

As a bonus, she did it in front of 22 friends and family, playing about a half hour from where she grew up.

"It was one of my favorite collegiate volleyball moments," Semadeni said. "It showed me how blessed I am as a player and how many people have gotten me to the point of where I am. My old volleyball coach was there, my high school coach was there. Just a lot of people who have seen me grow up through volleyball, and that was so overwhelmingly cool to see everyone be with me and support and cheer me on. It was really emotional and awesome."

Semadeni surpassed her sophomore kills total just one weekend into the fall season. Entering this week at 99 kills (third on the team), she will likely eclipse her freshman total early on in Thursday's match vs. Idaho State, just the Grizzlies' third conference match of the season.

She has recorded at least five kills in every match this season and has reached eight or more eight times. Perhaps most impressive, though, is her efficiency.

Hitting at a .278 clip, Semadeni ranks eighth in the Big Sky for hitting percentage. She has hit above .300 six times and below .200 just twice. On defense, she's stepped up her game and ranks third on the team for blocking.

The hope is that this is just the start for Semadeni and the Grizzlies.

"Putting in the work is really hard, and to finally see a little bit of that pay off means a lot and shows that individually and as a team, what we're working towards is starting to show," Semadeni said. "Tasting a little bit of success makes me so hungry for more, and makes me excited for more practices and more games."

That starts this week against Idaho State and Weber State, two teams she performed well against in 2019 (12 kills on .258 hitting vs. the Bengals, 10 kills at a .300 clip vs. the Wildcats).

SEMADENI Q&A
When you're not on the volleyball court, what do you do to have fun?
I like to play Wii. I like to do karaoke. I like to eat chocolate. I like to run away from Monte. Paige (Clark) is going to make fun of me, but I like to read.

What is it about mascots that terrifies you?
I'm just terrified of them. I've really thought of it lately, and I think what it is is that I can't see who it is under the mascot. They can see all of me and I can't see any of them.

The last time we talked you were on World 8 of Super Smash Bros. How's that going for you?
We completed World 8 and we unlocked the special world. We have six levels left in that, but in order to unlock the levels, you have to have all of the star coins from the previous levels, and we still have to get all of the star coins for five more worlds. We're in a bit of a stagnant area, but I'm sure in the spring, when we have more time, a lot of our hard work will be devoted to that.

Why do you wear the number 16?
My brothers wore No. 12 and 14, so naturally I wore 16.

Tell us about your dog:
Oh my gosh, Rio is my pride and joy. She's the cutest thing in the world. She looks like a fox but we're not really sure what kind she is. She just turned 5. She just recently learned how to climb trees, so she chases squirrels and climbs trees. She's the best part of our family. She's better than my brothers, she's better than me.

You're trapped in the WAG. Would you rather fight your way out against one horse-sized duck or 50 duck-sized horses?
I think one. If 50 of them were coming at me, I would feel overwhelmed and they'd take advantage of all of the nooks and crannies of the WAG and I wouldn't be able to use that to my advantage. If there was just one, I could use the WAG to my advantage and destroy it.

What is something that inspires you?
My brothers. They were both collegiate athletes and are such hard workers. When things get tough, or I have to persevere through challenges, they are who I think about and shoot towards.

LAST WEEK'S RECAP
Montana opened Big Sky Conference play last week with a pair of three-set losses to two of the top teams in the league. The results weren't ideal, especially coming off of the Grizzlies' best non-conference season in 16 years.

However, the response from Tuesday to Thursday is what gives Allison Lawrence optimism moving forward.

On Tuesday, at home against Montana State, the Grizzlies looked out of system most of the night, losing in straight sets to their rivals. Two of the set scores were close, but the Grizzlies were never truly competitive, hitting a season-low .051 with zero attackers recording more than six kills.

Two nights later – after a travel day and just one late practice – Montana was on the court again to face the preseason No. 2 team in the Big Sky. While the Grizzlies didn't win a set, they showed fight throughout the entire night. All three sets were decided by the minimum two points and two sets went past the traditional 25 points. The Grizzlies held four set points against the Bears.

"We have a lot of work to still do, but I thought our team showed a ton of fight and response from Tuesday," Lawrence said after the match in Greeley. "There's no doubt that things would have been different if we played on Tuesday how we did (Thursday). Now, the key is finding ways to play at a high level consistently."

GRIZ BITS

Montana posted its best non-conference record in 16 seasons, going 5-5 including impressive wins over Kennesaw State and Drake. The Grizzlies also went 3-0 at the UND Classic, their first outright tournament championship since 2005.
Following the team's first undefeated tournament championship since 2005, the Grizzlies have hit a bit of a rut, losing three consecutive matches – all in straight sets.
Montana ranks No. 2 in the Big Sky Conference for attendance. The Grizzlies drew 1,072 fans last week vs. Montana State, just the second time in the past decade they have surpassed 1,000 fans for a match.
Sophomore middle blocker Ellie Scherffius still leads the Big Sky for attacking, hitting at a .403 clip. The figure ranks 24^th in the entire country and is on pace to set a school record (.353 by Jaimie Thibeault in 2009).
As a team, the Grizzlies are hitting .224, which leads the Big Sky and would be the program's best percentage since 1991. For comparison, in the spring Montana ranked last in the Big Sky at .147.
Montana has also made significant strides in a handful of other categories: assists (11.28, fourth compared to 9.48, 10^th); kills (12.23, fifth compared to 10.79, 10^th); blocks (1.99, sixth compared to 1.85, 10^th). Overall, Montana ranks in the upper-half of the Big Sky for five of seven statistical categories, compared to zero in the spring.
Of the 47 sets Montana has played, 30 (64 percent) have been decided by five points or fewer (12-18 record). Twenty have seen a margin of three points or fewer (8-12) and 14 have been decided by the minimum two points (7-7). Additionally, eight sets have gone past the traditional 25 points.
Senior middle blocker Peyten Boutwell (0.98 per set, seventh) and Scherffius (0.94 per set, eighth) are both among the league's best blockers. Boutwell's current average is on pace to be the Grizzlies' best since Capri Richardson in 2014. Montana hasn't had two individuals average more than 0.90 blocks per set since Natalie Jones and Brooke Bray did so in 2013.
Senior libero Sarina Moreno moved into eighth place on the Grizzlies' all-time digs list last week, with 1,193 career digs. She needs two digs this week to pass Jennifer Moran for seventh place. The Missoula native will continue to move up the charts in coming weeks, needing 23 digs to reach sixth place, 33 to hit fifth, 77 to be in fourth and 108 to crack the top three. Moreno ranks second in the Big Sky this season with 3.89 digs per set.
Montana is averaging nearly 1.5 kills per set more than it did in the spring and has jumped from 10^th to fifth in the league for that category. The Grizzlies have also risen from last to first in hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Carly Anderson plays a role in both of those numbers, distributing the ball to a balanced offense. Anderson ranks third in the Big Sky with 8.87 assists per set. She also has 23 kills and ranks third on the team for digs, fourth for service aces and fifth for blocking.
No Montana player ranks among the Big Sky leaders for kills per set, with Scherffius leading the Griz at 2.23 (one would have to reach 2.96 to be in the current top 10). However, the Grizzlies have shown a balanced attack with five players averaging between 1.87 and 2.23 kills per set.
Senior outside hitter Elsa Godwin leads Montana with 14 service aces and ranks second on the team for digs (2.36 per set). She has taken a major step forward in her offensive production, however, ranking fourth on the team with 88 kills (1.87 per set). Godwin has reached eight kills in a match six times this season, and double figures on three occasions, leading the Grizzlies each of those three times. For comparison, Godwin's 1.87 kills per set on .146 hitting come after she averaged 0.76 kills per set on .005 hitting in the spring.
After playing sparingly as a true freshman (four kills, three blocks in the spring) Scherffius has started every match this season and currently leads the Griz for kills (2.23 per set) and hitting (.403, first in the Big Sky) and ranks second for blocking (0.94 per set, eighth in the Big Sky). She has been in double figures for kills seven times, including five of the past six matches. Of the seven matches she has been in double figures for kills, she has hit above .360 in six of them, including above .500 five times.
Junior Catie Semadeni is averaging 2.11 kills (third on the team) on .278 hitting (eighth in the Big Sky) and has become a starter on the right side. She was named to the EWU all-tournament team and has become an offensive weapon after averaging 0.79 kills per set on .011 hitting in the spring.

5^TH-SET DOMINANCE
Montana sure knows how to stress its fans out, taking five of its 12 matches so far this season to a full five sets. When the Grizzlies get to a fifth set, though, they generally have a ton of success.

Montana is 4-1 in five-set matches this season, but the numbers go deeper than the overall record. Out of 126 total points played in the fifth set this season, Montana has trailed for just 14 of those points (11.1 percent). In all five matches, Montana has been the first team to eight and 12 points.

"In the highest-pressure situations, that's when you're seeing our team at its best," Lawrence said of her team's fifth-set success. "You're starting to see us really understand how to take control after we have a setback and our numbers in the fifth set are off the charts."

At the UND Classic (Sept. 10-11), the Grizzlies twice played in a fifth set, never trailing for a single point. Montana jumped out to a 4-0 lead over Green Bay and used a 5-0 run late to win the set 15-10. In a come-from-behind win over Drake, the Grizzlies again scored five of the first six points before using a 6-0 run moments later to extend the lead to 11-3.

Montana is playing its best volleyball late in tight matches. In fifth sets this season, Montana is out-hitting its opponents .456 (42-6-79) to .150 (40-25-100). In addition to making just six attack errors, the Grizzlies are siding out at a .685 rate.

DOWN TO THE WIRE
While five of Montana's 12 matches this season have gone a full five sets, Montana is also playing deep into sets. Of the 47 sets Montana has played, 30 (64 percent) have been decided by five points or fewer (12-18 record). Twenty have seen a margin of three points or fewer (8-12) and 14 have been decided by the minimum two points (7-7). Additionally, eight sets have gone past the traditional 25 points.

Back at home this week for a pair of Big Sky matches!

🏐 Thursday vs. Idaho State
🏐 Saturday vs. Weber State#GrizVB #BigSkyVB #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/APNOXTft6p
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) September 27, 2021

SCOUTING IDAHO STATE

ISU enters Thursday's match with a 5-9 record overall, including a 1-1 mark in Big Sky play. The Bengals earned a surprising five-set win over Sacramento State last Thursday, before falling in four sets to Portland State.
In the win over the Hornets, ISU lost the first two sets before rallying to win the final three, out-blocking Sacramento State 18-6, including nine stuffs from senior Kaia Rhodes. The Bengals also got 15 kills from sophomore Kennedee Tracy.
Like Montana, ISU beat Seattle in five sets early in the season. The Bengals also played College of Charleston, beating the Cougars in four sets (UM lost in four sets).
Six of ISU's 14 matches have gone a full five sets (3-3 record).
While Montana leads the Big Sky for hitting percentage (.224) the Bengals rank first in the league for opponent hitting (.184). ISU also ranks highly for service aces (1.55 per set, third) and blocking (2.05 per set, fourth).
ISU is led offensively by freshmen outside hitters Jamie Streit (2.87 kills per set) and Sadie Bluth (2.48).
The Bengals run a 6-2 offense, with junior Andri Dewey and freshman Aliyah Sopoaga each averaging at least 4.74 assists per set. Her twin sister, Asiah Sopoaga, also ranks fourth in the Big Sky with 3.77 digs per set.
Sophomore defensive specialist Rachael Driskell ranks second in the Big Sky with 0.46 service aces per set.
ISU went 2-12 during the spring season, tied with Montana for 10^th place. The two teams played on the opening weekend, splitting their matchups.
Sammi Stuart is in her third season in Pocatello, previously serving as an assistant coach at Utah State and Arizona State and as director of operations at BYU.

SERIES VS. THE BENGALS

In a series that dates back to 1978, Montana is 44-38 all-time vs. Idaho State. The two teams have played every season since except for 1981.
The Grizzlies are 22-14 vs. the Bengals in Missoula, but haven't won since 2011 (five straight losses).
Six of the past 14 matches in the series have gone to five sets, including the Grizzlies' season-opening win in Pocatello in January.
Last January in Pocatello, middle blocker Peyten Boutwell recorded 15 kills (.608 hitting) and 10 blocks in her Griz debut, recording the Grizzlies' first kills/blocks double-double in more than a decade.
The last time ISU visited Missoula, in October 2019, outside hitter Elsa Godwin recorded 11 kills on .429 hitting. She also added 11 kills and four service aces that fall in a win in Pocatello, while right-side attacker Catie Semadeni totaled 12 kills and libero Sarina Moreno added 24 digs.

SCOUTING WEBER STATE

While Weber State enters the week with a 7-5 mark, the record is deceptive considering four of the Wildcats' losses have come to Power-5 opponents, including nationally ranked BYU (five sets) and Utah.
WSU opened Big Sky play last week with four-set wins over both Portland State and Sacramento State. The Wildcats also own a three-set victory over North Dakota, similar to Montana.
WSU leads the Big Sky for assists (11.64 per set), kills (12.53) and service aces (1.98, 15^th in NCAA).
Sophomore outside hitter Dani Nay leads the nation with 34 service aces on the season, nearly double the next-closest Big Sky competitor. She also ranks fourth in the Big Sky with 3.47 kills per set.
Senior outside hitter Rylin Adams, who was named the Spring 2021 Big Sky MVP and an AVCA all-region selection, leads the Big Sky with 4.00 kills per set (49^th in NCAA). She had 23 kills on .309 hitting, in addition to 12 digs and two aces, in the Wildcats' win on Saturday vs. Sacramento State.
Senior setter Ashlyn Power has nearly 5,000 career assists (42 away entering the week), which ranks first in Weber State history and sixth all-time in the Big Sky.
Jeremiah Larsen owns 99 career victories entering this week's matchups against Montana State (Thursday) and Montana (Saturday).
The Wildcats are the defending Big Sky champions, going 19-2 during the spring season. The campaign featured a win over Bowling Green in the NCAA tournament before losing to No. 1 Wisconsin.
The Wildcats were the overwhelming favorites to repeat as Big Sky champions, receiving 10 first-place votes (the maximum they could receive).

SERIES VS. THE WILDCATS

Montana owns a winning record over Weber State, going 48-35 all-time against the Wildcats, including 26-14 in Missoula. The Grizzlies have won 10 of the past 19 meetings and are 8-9 with Allison Lawrence on staff.
The Grizzlies, though, have lost the past five, and seven of the past eight, in the series.
Montana is looking for its first home win over Weber State since 2013, losing the past five meetings in Missoula.
The series began in 1980, a 3-1 Griz victory in Missoula. The two teams have played at least once every season since.
After losing in straight sets in January 2021, the two teams played again the following night with Montana challenging the Wildcats. The Griz won Set 3 handedly and held two set-point opportunities in Set 4, before falling 28-26.
In five career matches vs. Weber State, libero Sarina Moreno has been in double figures for digs each time, averaging 5.22 per set.

Gallery: (9-21-2021) VB: vs. Montana State (9.21.21)

INDIVIDUALLY SPEAKING

#1 Sarina Moreno – Ranks second in the Big Sky with 3.91 digs per set… Has recorded 14 or more digs in all but two matches this season… Totaled 25 digs in a five-set win over Seattle (Sept. 1) and 19 in just three sets at North Dakota (Sept. 11), the most by a Big Sky athlete in a three-set match this season… Has a service ace in six matches, including three vs. Eastern Michigan (Aug. 28) and two at Northern Colorado (Sept. 23)… Both aces vs. the Bears came during a 7-0 service run in which the Grizzlies erased what once was a 10-point deficit to hold set point at 25-24… Moved into Montana's top-10 list for career digs earlier this month, and now needs two to jump into seventh place, 23 to reach sixth and 33 to crack the top five (she is on pace to finish her career ranked third).
#2 Paige Clark – Has seen time in 10 of 12 matches this season, earning two starts… Showing her versatility, she has been used as a server, attacker and setter in a 6-2 offense… Has an ace in back-to-back matches, in addition to 10 digs at Northern Colorado (Sept. 23)… Biggest moment came against California Baptist (Sept. 3), when she entered midway through the match as an attacker/setter… Finished with 10 kills on .368 hitting, in addition to 12 assists, five digs, one service ace and one block… Later that day, at South Dakota State (Sept. 3), she tallied 12 digs, seven assists and five kills… Saw time in all three matches of the CofC Invitational (Aug. 28-29), primarily as a serving specialist… Recorded her first career ace vs. Eastern Michigan (Aug. 28), with the serve coming on set point, which gave the Grizzlies a 25-23 win… Also spent Set 3 vs. the Eagles at setter, recording 15 assists and one kill while running the offense.
#3 Jackie Howell – Has played in every set this season, earning starts in nine matches… Is averaging 1.60 digs per set while posting a .936 reception percentage… Has been in double figures for digs three times, including a career-high 14 in a five-set win over Drake (Sept. 11)… Is averaging 0.49 kills per set, including six kills in back-to-back matches at the SDSU Invite (Sept. 3)… Has been one of Montana's top servers, serving during multiple lengthy runs, including 5-0 run vs. Seattle (Sept. 1), turning a 9-6 deficit into a Griz lead, and a 6-0 run in Set 5 vs. Drake (Sept. 10).
#4 Carly Anderson – Has helped facilitate a balanced offense that is hitting .224 (first in the Big Sky) and features three of the league's top-12 attackers… Ranks third in the Big Sky with 8.87 assists per set, despite Montana utilizing a 6-2 offense at times… Was named to the UND Classic all-tournament team after averaging 8.69 assists per set and running an offense that hit .278 for the weekend (Sept. 10-11)… In addition to her setting, she also added 2.07 digs per set, plus 11 kills (zero errors, .550 hitting) and two service aces in three victories… Tallied 52 assists in a win over Seattle (Sept. 1) and 50 in a season-opening victory over Kennesaw State (Aug. 28)… Is also averaging 1.96 digs per set (third on the team), recording her first double-double of the season at North Dakota (33 assists, 10 digs)… Has a service ace in six different matches, including two vs. Montana State (Sept. 21)… Has 23 kills on the season (0.49 per set) and has recorded 16 straight kills without making an error.
#8 Elsa Godwin – Has started all 12 matches at outside hitter, currently ranking fifth on the team with 1.87 kills per set… Is hitting at a .146 clip, after hitting .005 in the spring, and has already recorded more kills despite playing fewer matches… Leads the Griz with 14 service aces and is second for digs (2.36 per set)… Has been in double figures for digs five times this season, including four times in the past six matches… Recorded a career-high 14 kills, plus 10 digs, vs. Eastern Michigan (Aug. 28), before surpassing that total vs. Seattle (Sept. 1)… In a five-set win over the Redhawks, she totaled 16 kills at a .375 clip, also adding nine digs and four blocks… After falling behind 2-1, Montana won the final two sets, with Godwin totaling five kills (.556 hitting) and three blocks… Totaled 11 kills and three service aces vs. College of Charleston (Aug. 29)… Had nine kills through two sets vs. the Cougars, including points on four consecutive plays during an 8-0 run in Set 2… Totaled 19 digs, nine kills and three aces vs. Green Bay (Sept. 10)… Added three more aces at North Dakota (Sept. 11), including two during a 9-0 run that flipped a 21-15 deficit into a 24-21 lead.
#10 Ellie Scherffius – Leads the Big Sky and ranks 24^th nationally with a .403 hitting percentage, which would shatter Montana's single-season record of .353… Leads the Griz for hitting and kills (105, 2.23 per set) and ranks second for blocking (0.94 per set), with her blocking numbers ranking eighth in the Big Sky… Was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 13) and UND Classic MVP (Sept. 11) after averaging 2.92 kills per set on .500 hitting, plus 0.92 blocks per set, in three victories… In a five-set win over Green Bay (Sept. 10), Scherffius had seven of Montana's 15 points in the fifth set, including four kills and a block during a 5-0 run… Finished the day with a career-high-tying 15 kills on .520 hitting, plus six blocks… Has been in double figures for kills seven times (five of the past six matches) and has hit .500 or above on five occasions… Has recorded five or more blocks five times… Named to the CofC Invitational all-tournament team (Aug. 29) after averaging 2.43 kills per set on .540 hitting, in addition to 1.00 blocks per set… Recorded 15 kills on .650 hitting (15-2-20) in a win over Kennesaw State (Aug. 28), in addition to a team-high-tying six blocks… Later that day, vs. Eastern Michigan, she recorded nine kills and zero errors at an .818 clip (9-0-11), again adding six blocks… Entered the season with four career kills and three blocks while seeing limited action as a true freshman during the spring season.
#12 Sarah Ashley – Has played in 10 matches this season, earning four starts at defensive specialist… Ranks second on Montana with nine service aces, recording at least one in six matches… Served up three aces vs. Eastern Michigan (Aug. 28)… Is averaging 1.51 digs per set… Has twice been in double figures for digs (10 vs. Kennesaw State and College of Charleston).
#14 Peyten Boutwell – Leads the Griz with 0.98 blocks per set (seventh in the Big Sky), on pace to be the Grizzlies' highest individual percentage since 2014… Ranks second on the Griz for kills (103, 2.19 per set)… Has been in double figures for kills five times and has reached five or more blocks on four occasions… Totaled 11 kills and four blocks in a come-from-behind win over Drake (Sept. 11)… Recorded 16 kills on .520 hitting vs. Seattle (Sept. 1), becoming the fourth Grizzly in the past 12 seasons to hit above .500 with at least 16 kills… Has recorded at least five blocks in four matches, including a season-high seven vs. Eastern Michigan (Aug. 28)… Totaled 12 kills on .391 hitting in Montana's season-opening win over Kennesaw State (Aug. 28).
#16 Catie Semadeni – Has had a strong start to her junior season, totaling 99 kills (2.11 per set, third on the team) on .282 hitting (second on the team, eighth in the Big Sky)… For comparison, she totaled 22 kills in 10 matches as a sophomore, hitting .011… Also ranks third on the team for blocking (0.70 per set)… Has four times been in double figures for kills and has reached eight or more kills in nine matches (including five of the past six)… Led Montana with 11 kills on .360 hitting at Northern Colorado (Sept. 23), totaling three kills to fend off set point or give the Griz a one-point lead late in Set 2… Was named to EWU's all-tournament team after recording 10 kills on .350 hitting, plus three blocks, in Montana's only match, vs. CSU Bakersfield (Sept. 18)… At the UND Classic (Sept. 10-11), averaged 1.92 kills per set at a .283 clip, while also adding a team-best 13 blocks (1.00 per set)… Stuffed a career-high eight balls vs. Drake (Sept. 11), to go along with eight kills on .353 hitting… In Montana's season-opening win over Kennesaw State, she totaled 10 kills on .308 hitting, in addition to six blocks… Later that day, vs. Eastern Michigan, she added 11 kills at a .346 clip.
#17 Elise Jolly – Ranks fourth on the team with 2.06 kills per set (72 total kills), hitting at a .180 clip… Earned her first two career starts last week vs. Montana State (Sept. 21) and at Northern Colorado (Sept. 23)… Was named to the UND Classic all-tournament team after averaging 3.50 kills on .415 hitting across the final two matches of the weekend (Sept. 11)… Had a career-high 16 kills on .353 hitting in a five-set win over Drake, before 12 kills at a .526 clip that evening at North Dakota… Has been in double figures for kills five times… Tallied 10 kills and nine digs in her Montana debut vs. Kennesaw State (Aug. 28) and 10 more, plus a pair of blocks, vs. College of Charleston (Aug. 29)… In Montana's win over Kennesaw State, she recorded four of the Grizzlies' eight kills in Set 5, hitting .500 (4-1-6) in the set… Her 10^th and final kill came on match point, securing Montana's win.
#21 Kelsey Nestegard – Has played in four matches, being used as a server… Has four service aces on the season, including at least one ace in three of the four matches she has played in… Totaled two aces vs. Montana State (Sept. 21)… Made her season debut vs. Seattle (Sept. 1), recording an ace and being praised by Allison Lawrence for her aggressive serving and coverage on defense.
#22 Maddie Kremer – After playing in 10 of Montana's first 25 sets to open the season, she found her form at the UND Classic (Sept. 10-11)… Despite not playing in the first two sets vs. Drake (Sept. 11), she finished the match with 10 kills at .315 hitting, including seven kills and an ace in Set 4 and being praised by Allison Lawrence for the team's turnaround… That night vs. North Dakota, making her first career start, she added eight more kills and a block… Recorded seven kills and two blocks vs. Eastern Michigan (Aug. 28)… She led Montana with four kills and a block in a Set-2 win over the Eagles… Is averaging 1.25 kills across 24 sets this season.

LOOKING AHEAD
Following Montana's homestand, the Grizzlies will again hit the road to play against a pair of regional rivals. The Grizzlies will face Idaho on Thursday, Oct. 7, before playing at Eastern Washington on Saturday, Oct. 9.

Can we take a moment to talk about this play??#GrizVB #BigSkyVB #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/mVPc7fQpkF
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) September 29, 2021

With sophomore season behind her, Semadeni is flourishing, hungry for more

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Players Mentioned

Carly Anderson

Peyten Boutwell

Elsa Godwin

Sarina Moreno

Ellie Scherffius

Catie Semadeni

University of Montana Athletics

With sophomore season behind her, Semadeni is flourishing, hungry for more

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Carly Anderson

Peyten Boutwell

Elsa Godwin

Sarina Moreno

Ellie Scherffius

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