Grizzlies give away too many points in loss at Sacramento State

Thursday, October 6

Sacramento, Calif.

8 PM (MT)

Montana

10-6, 3-1Big Sky

Sacramento State

8-9, 4-1Big Sky

Montana

Sacramento State

Photo by: Shanna Madison/Grizzly Athletics

Grizzlies give away too many points in loss at Sacramento State

10/6/2022 10:54:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Montana became the first Big Sky Conference team to win a set at Sacramento State in 364 days – snapping the Hornets' 26-set winning streak – but it wasn't enough as the Hornets won Thursday's match in four sets (25-14, 25-18, 18-25, 25-19).

With the result, the Sacramento State moved into first place tie in the Big Sky standings (along with Portland State, Montana's next opponent) and snapped the Grizzlies' 3-0 start to Big Sky play and five-match winning streak overall.

"We didn't pass well off of serve-receive and we couldn't get anything going from our left side, and those are two giant limitations," head coach Allison Lawrence said. "Still, despite that, we felt like we had enough momentum to take it to five, which is what we're trying to take from this match."

After playing poorly through the first two sets, Montana found another gear in the third set, winning 25-18 to become the first Big Sky team to take a set on Sacramento State's home court since Oct. 7, 2021 (26 consecutive set wins).

The Grizzlies then carried that momentum into the fourth set, once holding a 12-8 advantage, before the Hornets eventually rallied to win the match.

Great dump from setter Carly Anderson!!#MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/dyLOzSAt92
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) October 7, 2022

At times on Thursday, Montana played well enough to compete with a top team in the league. For too much of the night, however, the Grizzlies gave away points.

The Grizzlies – who rank second in the Big Sky for hitting percentage – hit just .131 on the night, being blocked 12 times. Even bigger, they were aced 15 times, and combined with their eight service errors, gave away nearly an entire set at the service line.

"They put together an incredible serving effort," Lawrence said. "They serve so well and with so much pace and float, and they hit seams and explanted weaknesses in our serve-receive pattern. Even when we weren't being aced, they took us out of system and made it really difficult to get our offense going."

Montana was led offensively by junior middle blocker Ellie Scherffius, who totaled nine kills on .667 hitting. Seniors Catie Semadeni and Elise Jolly each had eight kills, while sophomore outside hitter Maddie Kremer came off the bench and added five kills.

Big kill from Scherffius!!#MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/ErgIcpTQGZ
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) October 7, 2022

Each of those attackers came up in big moments for Montana, which helped counter the attention that was placed on all-conference outside hitter Paige Clark, who was limited to four kills on negative hitting, just the second time this season she has been held under 10 kills in a match.

While the Grizzlies struggled at the service line, they did get three aces from Jolly.

Montana's floor defense was strong, out-digging the Hornets 68 to 54, with three Grizzlies in double figures, led by Sarina Moreno's 20. She out-dug Sacramento State's Caty Cordano, who was named the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after setting a school record for digs in a match.

Also in double figures for digs was setter Carly Anderson, who totaled 11, along with 30 assists for her fifth double-double of the season, and defensive specialist Sarah Ashley (10).

"We dug a lot of balls that allowed us to score in transition," Lawrence said. "Sarina dug really well. She came up with some big plays to slow their momentum and make it hard for them to score."

Montana started the match strong, opening on a 5-1 run and leading by scores of 7-3 and 9-4. After scoring nine of the first 13 points, though, the Grizzlies unraveled, scoring just four of the next 26.

Blocking and serving became a major issue in the opening frame, as the Grizzlies were aced six times and blocked four times, hitting in the negatives with just six total kills.

Montana played better in Set 2, but was always a few points behind and never held a lead. The Grizzlies had an opportunity to get to within two points, at 20-18, but were blocked on a long rally and instead lost five of the final six points.

The Grizzlies showed life in Set 3, scoring the first two points and leading for much of the set, including by scores of 7-4 and 15-12. A big part of the turnaround came from Kremer, who saw her first extended action in nearly a month.

She had two kills and a block during a four-point run for Montana, which extended to a 7-0 spurt, turning a 13-12 lead into a 20-12 cushion. Semadeni and Jolly also came up big during the run, with Semadeni recording three kills and a block, and Jolly totaling two blocks.

Beautiful cross from Semadeni! Griz leading in the 3rd 🐻 #MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/9977DFSxkI
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) October 7, 2022

After hitting .016 through the first two frames, Montana hit .364 in Set 3, while holding the Hornets to -.032 hitting.

"Even when we weren't passing great, we did a really good job (in the third set) with our management," Lawrence said. "Even if we didn't get a first-swing kill, we were able to win the rally later in transition. We served well, we blocked well and we controlled the ball."

Montana had opportunities to win Set 4, as well, before fading late in the frame. A 6-0 run with Ashley serving gave the Grizzlies an 8-6 lead, which then extended to 12-8 and forced a Hornets' timeout. Jolly had a kill and back-to-back aces during the run, as Montana was in prime position to force a fifth set.

Jolly continues her streak with a pair of aces!!#MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/ToxYTlFgJt
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) October 7, 2022

Sacramento State began to chip away, however, tying the score at 17-17 and rolling from there, scoring 10 of the final 12 points of the night.

"They came up with some big blocks and they schemed on us well late in the fourth set," Lawrence said.

The road doesn't get any easier for the Grizzlies, who will now turn their attention to a Portland State squad that is tied with Sacramento State for first place at 4-1. The Grizzlies are a half-match behind, at 3-1. First serve is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. (MT), with no streaming option available.