Saturday, September 24
Missoula, Mont.
7:30 PM
Montana
9-5, 2-0Big Sky
3
vs
0
Idaho
3-11, 0-2Big Sky
1
2
3
F
Idaho
21
14
16
0
Montana
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Tommy Martino/UM Athletics
Griz make home return with emphatic sweep over Vandals
9/24/2022 11:11:00 PM | Volleyball
MISSOULA, Mont. – Montana is 2-0 to open Big Sky Conference play following a quick sweep over Idaho on Saturday night in front of a rowdy Homecoming crowd (25-21, 25-14, 25-16). The Grizzlies out-hit the Vandals .302 to .110 and were never seriously challenged in the three-set match.
"Griz Nation turned out in a big way, and it was so fun to play in front of a lively crowd like that," head coach Allison Lawrence said. "Being home for the first time in a long time, you don't know the team is going to respond, but we were so loose and fired up to show how we've evolved, even since our last home match."
During a 25-year span from 1992-2019, Montana won just three of 29 meetings with the Vandals. Since then, however, the Grizzlies have won five of the past six contests, including three in a row. Despite being less than a month into the season, the Grizzlies have already earned six three-set victories, their most in a season since 2013 (eight).
Setting up the offense was junior setter Carly Anderson, who totaled 33 assists – plus eight digs, two blocks and an ace – as Montana hit above .300 for the fourth time this season.
That led to a curious Idaho timeout, as the Vandals called for a break despite still holding a 12-8 lead. Vandals' coach Chris Gonzalez must have sensed a shift in momentum, though, which was indeed the case.
Montana scored the next three points after the timeout, before starting another 5-0 run (10-1 extended run) with Jolly serving, to take a 17-14 advantage and burn Idaho's second timeout. The lead was never in doubt after that, as Montana out-hit Idaho .243 to .086, with Clark totaling eight first-set kills.
"Paige's first six swings, I thought, really set the tone for us," Lawrence said. "The moments where we were really physical and got up and got big kills, I think it put stress on (Idaho) in ways that gave us a ton of momentum."
By then, Montana had full control of the set and was only gaining more momentum. The Grizzlies used a 7-0 run with Anderson serving to open up a 22-10 gap, on an emphatic kill from senior middle blocker Alicia Wallingford.
"When people came off the bench, they contributed," Lawrence said. "Maddie (Pyles) got some huge kills, Alicia pounded that ball to the floor. Our bench went absolutely crazy. No matter whose turn it is, they get the job done and you see the team celebrating each other. I think that's a testament to the culture and the support that they give each other."
The Grizzlies recorded 16 more kills and three fewer errors than the Vandals, as Idaho was limited to just 28 total kills. Montana also was plus-five at the service line and out-dug the Vandals.
"We put a lot of pressure on them to score in moments where it wasn't easy to score against us," Lawrence said. "There's a real joy in the way we're playing right now, and you saw that come out tonight."
Montana has now won a season-high four consecutive matches and is 2-0 to begin Big Sky play. Saturday was the Grizzlies' only home match until Oct. 13, as their next three contests will be on the road, beginning next Friday at rival Montana State.
"Griz Nation turned out in a big way, and it was so fun to play in front of a lively crowd like that," head coach Allison Lawrence said. "Being home for the first time in a long time, you don't know the team is going to respond, but we were so loose and fired up to show how we've evolved, even since our last home match."
During a 25-year span from 1992-2019, Montana won just three of 29 meetings with the Vandals. Since then, however, the Grizzlies have won five of the past six contests, including three in a row. Despite being less than a month into the season, the Grizzlies have already earned six three-set victories, their most in a season since 2013 (eight).
As she has been all season, sophomore outside hitter Paige Clark was again dominant on Saturday, totaling a match-high 15 kills on .462 hitting (15-3-26). She also added three service aces and a block. Junior middle blocker Ellie Scherffius was also a threat offensively, recording nine kills on 15 swings (.467 hitting), with five of her kills coming in the final set.That's the game!!! 🧹 🧹 #MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/ytrCM4X1jD
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) September 25, 2022
Setting up the offense was junior setter Carly Anderson, who totaled 33 assists – plus eight digs, two blocks and an ace – as Montana hit above .300 for the fourth time this season.
Montana started the match slow, falling behind 11-5 and requiring an early timeout. Things began to immediately shift, though, as Montana got kills from Catie Semadeni, Elise Jolly and Clark, taking three of the next four points coming out of the timeout.Ellie Scherffius with the kill!! 🏐 #MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/moTckn9Wqb
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) September 25, 2022
That led to a curious Idaho timeout, as the Vandals called for a break despite still holding a 12-8 lead. Vandals' coach Chris Gonzalez must have sensed a shift in momentum, though, which was indeed the case.
Montana scored the next three points after the timeout, before starting another 5-0 run (10-1 extended run) with Jolly serving, to take a 17-14 advantage and burn Idaho's second timeout. The lead was never in doubt after that, as Montana out-hit Idaho .243 to .086, with Clark totaling eight first-set kills.
"Paige's first six swings, I thought, really set the tone for us," Lawrence said. "The moments where we were really physical and got up and got big kills, I think it put stress on (Idaho) in ways that gave us a ton of momentum."
Montana never trailed by more than a single point in Set 2, and blew the frame open with a 6-0 run with junior defensive specialist Sarah Ashley at the service line. An Ashley ace made the score 13-7 after it once was tied at 7-7.Clark with the kill!!#MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/EyvklRb6ER
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) September 25, 2022
By then, Montana had full control of the set and was only gaining more momentum. The Grizzlies used a 7-0 run with Anderson serving to open up a 22-10 gap, on an emphatic kill from senior middle blocker Alicia Wallingford.
Being in complete control, Lawrence was able to empty her bench and give players like Wallingford and defensive specialist Ginny Pace, who made her Missoula debut on Saturday, time on the floor.#13 Alicia Wallingford with a monster kill in the middle!!!#MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/cPaJ3s9AKT
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) September 25, 2022
"When people came off the bench, they contributed," Lawrence said. "Maddie (Pyles) got some huge kills, Alicia pounded that ball to the floor. Our bench went absolutely crazy. No matter whose turn it is, they get the job done and you see the team celebrating each other. I think that's a testament to the culture and the support that they give each other."
After trailing 6-4 in the third set, the Grizzlies regained control with six straight points – including two aces from Clark, two kills and a block from Scherffius and a block and kill from Semadeni. Idaho used its second timeout trailing 18-11, but the reset didn't help, as Jolly served up her second ace of the match on the next point, as Montana once again cruised to victory.How about this swing from Freshman Maddie Pyles?? 💪 🏐 #MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/SD4upXppHL
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) September 25, 2022
The Grizzlies recorded 16 more kills and three fewer errors than the Vandals, as Idaho was limited to just 28 total kills. Montana also was plus-five at the service line and out-dug the Vandals.
"We put a lot of pressure on them to score in moments where it wasn't easy to score against us," Lawrence said. "There's a real joy in the way we're playing right now, and you saw that come out tonight."
Montana has now won a season-high four consecutive matches and is 2-0 to begin Big Sky play. Saturday was the Grizzlies' only home match until Oct. 13, as their next three contests will be on the road, beginning next Friday at rival Montana State.
Watch this kill by Jolly! Great save by Sarina Moreno!!#MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/GwfpK1MtIL
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) September 25, 2022
How about this dig by Sarina Moreno? 👀 Jackie Howell puts it away!#MontanaVB pic.twitter.com/1zMqOinMFc
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) September 25, 2022
Team Stats
IDA
MON
Kills
28
44
Errors
18
15
Attempts
91
96
Hitting %
.110
.302
Points
38.0
57.0
Assists
27
41
Aces
3
7
Blocks
7.0
6.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
15
Aces
3
Blocks
1
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
4
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
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OH/MB
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