Montana names 2021 team award-winners
2/17/2022 2:28:00 PM | Volleyball
Following the conclusion of the 2021 volleyball season, Montana held its end-of-season banquet. In addition to dinner and a highlight video, head coach Allison Lawrence and the Griz coaching staff also presented team awards.
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 – Elise Jolly
After transferring from Division-II Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, Elise Jolly made an immediate impact in Missoula, averaging 1.92 kills per set and seeing time at both outside hitter and middle blocker.
She was in double figures for kills five times, including back-to-back matches at the UND Classic, being named to the all-tournament team after averaging 3.5 kills per set on .415 hitting in wins over Drake and North Dakota. Perhaps her biggest impact, though, came in October when – without practice – filled a vacant hole at middle blocker, a position she hadn't played since high school. She started four consecutive matches at that position, posting eight kills on .500 hitting in a road win at Southern Utah and eight kills and career-high six blocks in a victory at Montana State. She will look to build off of her 2021 season in 2022, as a senior.
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗧𝗠𝗢 𝗠𝗩𝗣 – Kelsey Nestegard
For the second time in her career, defensive specialist Kelsey Nestegard was named Montana's scout-team MVP for her competitive energy. During her senior season, Nestegard served up a career-most 14 aces, including two in a win at Montana State. She worked her way into the regular rotation on the floor and earned a travel spot, and often times was praised for the way she pushed her teammates in practice.
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 – Catie Semadeni
On the court, Catie Semadeni led Montana with 227 kills while ranking third in the Big Sky for hitting percentage among pin hitters (.274). Off the court, her work ethic and leadership made her the team's most-inspirational player. In addition to being a team leader and someone her teammates look up to, Semadeni was one of four Big Sky athletes – regardless of position – to average at least 2.29 kills per set and hit above .270 in 2021. In an October match vs. Portland State, she became the first Montana player since 2007 to hit .500 or better with at least 19 kills.
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗠𝗩𝗣 – Sarina Moreno
For the second consecutive season, senior Sarina Moreno was voted on by her peers as Montana's most valuable player. The libero ranked third in the Big Sky in 2021 with more than 4.0 digs per set. Even more impressive, as a four-year starter – starting 91 of the past 97 matches at the libero position from 2018-21 – she ranks third in school history with more than 1,400 career digs.
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝘇𝘇𝗹𝘆 – Elsa Godwin
While the first four awards are voted on by student-athletes, the Heart of the Grizzly award is determined by the coaching staff. This award embodies what it means to be a Grizzly in all facets – on the court, in the classroom, in the community. This award sums up Missoula native Elsa Godwin.
Throughout her career, Godwin saw her roles shift from redshirt to a starting outside hitter to a back-row defender and server. She accumulated more than 500 digs, 300 kills, 75 blocks and 70 service aces – often ranked among the best servers in the Big Sky. No matter her role, Godwin's focus remained constant on the team's success.
Off the court, she embodies what a student-athlete looks like, earning Academic All-Big Sky honors every season and graduating with her undergraduate degree in three years and currently in line to earn her master's in business administration degree this May.
Montana won 11 matches during the 2021 season, its bet season since 2013 and more wins than the previous two seasons combined. The Grizzlies earned wins over regional rivals Montana State, Eastern Washington and Idaho (twice) and qualified for the Big Sky Conference tournament for the third time in four seasons. Additionally, Montana also went 3-0 at the UND Classic in September, the program's first outright tournament title since 2005.
Gallery: (12-3-2021) VB: Banquet (11.30.21)
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 – Elise Jolly
After transferring from Division-II Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, Elise Jolly made an immediate impact in Missoula, averaging 1.92 kills per set and seeing time at both outside hitter and middle blocker.
She was in double figures for kills five times, including back-to-back matches at the UND Classic, being named to the all-tournament team after averaging 3.5 kills per set on .415 hitting in wins over Drake and North Dakota. Perhaps her biggest impact, though, came in October when – without practice – filled a vacant hole at middle blocker, a position she hadn't played since high school. She started four consecutive matches at that position, posting eight kills on .500 hitting in a road win at Southern Utah and eight kills and career-high six blocks in a victory at Montana State. She will look to build off of her 2021 season in 2022, as a senior.
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗧𝗠𝗢 𝗠𝗩𝗣 – Kelsey Nestegard
For the second time in her career, defensive specialist Kelsey Nestegard was named Montana's scout-team MVP for her competitive energy. During her senior season, Nestegard served up a career-most 14 aces, including two in a win at Montana State. She worked her way into the regular rotation on the floor and earned a travel spot, and often times was praised for the way she pushed her teammates in practice.
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 – Catie Semadeni
On the court, Catie Semadeni led Montana with 227 kills while ranking third in the Big Sky for hitting percentage among pin hitters (.274). Off the court, her work ethic and leadership made her the team's most-inspirational player. In addition to being a team leader and someone her teammates look up to, Semadeni was one of four Big Sky athletes – regardless of position – to average at least 2.29 kills per set and hit above .270 in 2021. In an October match vs. Portland State, she became the first Montana player since 2007 to hit .500 or better with at least 19 kills.
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗠𝗩𝗣 – Sarina Moreno
For the second consecutive season, senior Sarina Moreno was voted on by her peers as Montana's most valuable player. The libero ranked third in the Big Sky in 2021 with more than 4.0 digs per set. Even more impressive, as a four-year starter – starting 91 of the past 97 matches at the libero position from 2018-21 – she ranks third in school history with more than 1,400 career digs.
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝘇𝘇𝗹𝘆 – Elsa Godwin
While the first four awards are voted on by student-athletes, the Heart of the Grizzly award is determined by the coaching staff. This award embodies what it means to be a Grizzly in all facets – on the court, in the classroom, in the community. This award sums up Missoula native Elsa Godwin.
Throughout her career, Godwin saw her roles shift from redshirt to a starting outside hitter to a back-row defender and server. She accumulated more than 500 digs, 300 kills, 75 blocks and 70 service aces – often ranked among the best servers in the Big Sky. No matter her role, Godwin's focus remained constant on the team's success.
Off the court, she embodies what a student-athlete looks like, earning Academic All-Big Sky honors every season and graduating with her undergraduate degree in three years and currently in line to earn her master's in business administration degree this May.
Montana won 11 matches during the 2021 season, its bet season since 2013 and more wins than the previous two seasons combined. The Grizzlies earned wins over regional rivals Montana State, Eastern Washington and Idaho (twice) and qualified for the Big Sky Conference tournament for the third time in four seasons. Additionally, Montana also went 3-0 at the UND Classic in September, the program's first outright tournament title since 2005.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
OH/MB
/ Volleyball
DS
/ Volleyball
DS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball2025 Griz Volleyball Senior Feature
Sunday, November 16
Griz Volleyball Press Conference - 11/3/25
Wednesday, November 05
Griz Volleyball vs. Weber State Postgame Report - 10/25/25
Sunday, October 26
Griz Volleyball vs. Idaho State Postgame Report - 10/23/25
Friday, October 24
