Griz close regular season at home, honor special group of seniors

MONTANA VS. PORTLAND STATE
Thursday, Nov. 16 / 4:00 p.m. / Tickets / Watch / Live Stats

MONTANA VS. SACRAMENTO STATE
Saturday, Nov. 18 / 7:00 p.m. / Tickets / Watch / Live Stats

Goodbyes are never easy. But saying goodbye on Saturday to the senior class that took Montana volleyball to new heights during its time in Missoula will be near impossible. Carly Anderson, Sarah Ashley, Jackie Howell, Ellie Scherffius, and Catie Semadeni will all be honored before Saturday evening's match for Senior Day.

It's a group that has been through so much since first arriving on campus nearly four years ago. The freshman year that so many expected went out the window with a global pandemic arriving, delaying their Montana debuts to the spring of 2021 in front of empty gyms.

The group was forced to play early and often in their Montana careers. After a 7-win season in 2019, the COVID shutdown caused all sorts of havoc to the Grizzlies and the entire landscape of college athletics. In the spring season, Montana went just 2-14, playing a lineup that heavily featured underclassmen.

They missed the tournament that year, but promised to never do it again. They increased the win total to 11 in the fall of 2021 and reached their first Big Sky Tournament. It was just a stage setter for the biggest year that Montana volleyball has seen since the turn of the century.

Last year, Montana won 17 matches. You've likely heard the facts about that seasons by now, the historical comparisons with 1999 and how it was Montana's best Big Sky finish in a decade. It may have seemed, from the outside, like a dream scenario where everything had to go exactly right in order for Montana to reach those numbers.

It was a dream, in many ways, but it wasn't a surprise to those within the program. When head coach Allison Lawrence brought this group in, she knew that they were special. Knew they had the ability to take Griz volleyball to another level.

"This group, in particular, really turned such big corners publicly and then privately too with the program… The pride mixed with the grief is there," Lawrence said. "Individually, I can't say enough about how amazing they all are and they have changed my life, and changed this place."

They arrived at different times. Catie Semadeni played in 2019 before the shutdown and used her extra year of eligibility to return in 2023. Jackie Howell transferred to Montana from Tyler Junio College in 2021. The trio of Anderson, Ashley, and Scherffius have played all four years together.

Combined, they have played in 1,632 sets and 445 matches. They have 40 combined wins over the past four years, the most in a four-year stretch at Montana since 2010-13.

But the legacy of this group is about far more than win totals or statistical anomalies. The legacy of this team is the culture that they helped create and foster at Montana. The way they treated each and every single person that came in contact with the program from fans and referees, to athletic trainers and custodians, and even to the coaching staff and each other.

It's paid off in wins, but also in fan engagement. This season Montana is averaging nearly double the attendance of the 2019 year when Semadeni first suited up.

"One thing that this class has done really well is just connect with our fanbase. I think that's one thing that you've really seen that has grown over the last four or five years is the connection to the community and what they've built momentum-wise in terms of what it feels like to come to a game," Lawrence said. "Relationship building is hard, and it requires you to be yourself and compete as yourself, and they do that really well."

It's a legacy that will live on. There is always an ever-turning wheel in college sports. As you lose five seniors, you must replace them with a new freshmen class. It's not fair to compare classes, or years, or players.

But perhaps the biggest complement that Lawrence can give, and a testament to what this group has meant to the program, is that when the new class signed, one that features two honorable mention All-Americans and a couple of great in-state products, the head coaches mind went to this group.

"I think the qualities that these recruits bring, what attracted those people here, is our current team," Lawrence said of the incoming 2024 freshmen. "The work that they've done has attracted the qualities that are required for the next step in our program. I think that's so cool."

They are more than just five jersey numbers on a roster. More than a setter, an opposite, an outside, a middle, a defensive specialist. They are program builders. They are leaders. They are Grizzlies, and will be forever.

MATCH PREVIEW
The Grizzlies are coming off a clutch road performance against Idaho State, sweeping the Bengals after erasing a pair of large deficits in both the second and third sets. Montana outhit Idaho State .246-to-.131 in the match and moved into a tie for sixth in the league standings with the Bengals as a result.

Montana now has to welcome two of the top teams in the league to Missoula to close out the regular season. It starts with a red-hot Portland State team on Thursday. The Vikings have won three straight matches and six out of the last seven overall.

Last Friday, the defeated league-leading Sacramento State in four sets in their home gym to improve to 9-5 in league play.

The Hornets are coming off the loss, but still have a Big Sky-best 12-2 conference record. They have clinched at least a share of the Big Sky Championship and need just a single win over the weekend to clinch the outright title.

It could get interesting in the league standings if Montana State defeats the Hornets on Thursday as there are currently three teams still in play for a share of the league title. Montana State, Weber State, and Northern Colorado all enter the final week with 10-4 conference records.

There is plenty to play for on Montana's side as they begin the final week tied for sixth with Idaho State. The Grizzlies have the tiebreaker over the Bengals as they won the lone meeting of the year between the two schools. Idaho State is on the road against Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona this week.

Eastern Washington are in eighth place at 5-10 in league play. They have a single game against winless Idaho this week, but even with a win and two Montana losses the Eagles can't pass the Griz in the standings.

The Grizzlies dropped both matches on the road to this week's opponents. They have struggled historically against both, but the Grizzlies have won two of the past three matches against Portland State in Missoula. Montana also swept Sacramento State at home in 2021.

The Thursday match will begin at 4:00 p.m. as Montana is also hosting a men's basketball game later that same night. The Saturday match will start at 7:00 p.m. and follow the home football game in the afternoon.

THE SENIORS

#4 Carly Anderson
Carly Anderson will finish her Grizzly career sixth all-time in career assists. She enters the weekend with 3,551 assists, and will play in her 100^th match at Montana tonight. The native of Mississauga, Ontario was a Second-Team All-Big Sky Selection in 2022 and the conference Player of the Week on Sept. 19, 2022. She has been named to four different All-Tournament teams in her career, including two earlier this season. Anderson has 265 kills, 725 digs, and 106 service aces in her decorated Grizzly career.

#12 Sarah Ashley
Sarah Ashley has been a key contributor for four seasons at Montana as a defensive specialist. She has three seasons with over 100 digs, including a career-high 1.98 digs per set in 2023. She's also been excellent at the service line, constantly changing momentum in matches with well placed balls and her 64 career aces. Ashley was voted Montana's Co-Most Improved Player in 2022.

#3 Jackie Howell
Howell's season ended before it began with an injury over the summer, but she has been a crucial member of the squad still. She transferred to Montana in 2021 from Tyler Junior College and has appeared in 52 matches for Montana, recording 277 career kills and 505 digs. She was voted the Co-Most Inspirational Teammate in 2022.

#10 Ellie Scherffius
Ellie Scherffius had a breakout season in 2021 and has been tremendous over the last three years for Montana, racking up over 500 career kills and nearly 300 blocks. She has a career hitting percentage of .293, which is tied for second in Montana program history. She has been named to eight All-Tournament Teams in her career, including two this season, and is a one-time Big Sky Player of the Week.

#16 Catie Semadeni
Catie Semadeni began her career in 2019 and made an instant impact, starting 14 matches and playing in 26. Since then, Semadeni has gone on to a career that features 411 kills and 197 blocks as a constant member of the Grizzly rotation. She's been a valuable leader on the team, and was the Grizzlies' Most Inspirational Player Award winner in 2021.

GRIZZLY TRADING CARDS
There will be packs of trading cards available at both matches this week. The juniors will be given out on Thursday while the Seniors will be given away on Saturday. Come to both matches this weekend and complete your set!

GRIZ NOTES

Montana has clinched a spot in the Big Sky Conference Tournament for a third consecutive season. It's the first time since 2008-10 that they have made three consecutive.
The Grizzlies have also reached five out of the previous six Big Sky Tournaments. It's the most tournament appearances in a six-year stretch since also making five from 1992-97. The league expanded to an eight-team tournament format in 2014. It used a six-team tournament from 1996-2013, and four-team tournaments prior to that.
It's the third straight 10-win season for Montana, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since the 2009-11 stretch. Montana's 38 wins since 2021 are the second-most in a three-year window in the rally scoring era. The Grizzlies won 41 matches from 2008-10.
Montana have won four of the previous five matches played inside Dahlberg Arena. They are 4-2 at home in Big Sky play.
The Grizzlies average 1.60 aces per set, the 4^th most in the Big Sky and 123^rd most nationally. Their 160 total aces are 121^st in the country and 3^rd in the league.
After hitting .246 in the win against Idaho State, Montana have now hit above .200 in three of the last four matches as the offense is finding its rhythm. The Grizzlies are 8-5 when hitting over .200 this season.
The first set has been a good indicator of how the rest of the match will go all season. The Grizzlies are 10-4 when winning the first set, and 0-12 when losing the opening set.
Montana have been outhit in 16 matches this year and have a 2-14 record when hitting a worse percentage than their opponent. The Grizzlies are 8-2 when they finish with the higher hitting percentage.
When opponents hit over .200 on Montana, the Grizzlies are 3-14. Montana is 7-2 when holding opponents under .200 hitting.
In the latest RPI poll, Montana slots in as the sixth-best Big Sky team at 199. They are behind both Portland State (178) and Sacramento State (152).
Middle blockers Madi Chuhlantseff and Ellie Scherffius both rank in the top 10 in the Big Sky in hitting percentage. Chuhlantseff (.334) is 3^rd, while Scherffius (.301) is 8^th.
Scherffius also ranks 6^th in the league in blocks with 1.10 per set. Her 109 blocks this year are the 83^rd most in the country.
Paige Clark is 9^th in the Big Sky in both kills (3.17/set) and points (3.68/set).
Carly Anderson is 3^rd in the league with 9.33 assists per set and also ranks fourth in the conference with 0.39 aces per set. Her 39 aces are the 93^rd most in the NCAA this year.
Head coach Allison Lawrence has 65 career wins at Montana, which is the third-most in program history. Legendary coach Dick Scott is the all-time leader with 403 wins in his 21 seasons.

SCOUTING PORTLAND STATE (16-9, 9-5 Big Sky)

The Vikings have had a bit of a rollercoaster season this year, but they are on a joyride at the moment having won three straight matches including an upset of top-ranked Sacramento State last Friday.
Portland State had a stretch from late September to early October where they lost four out of five conference matches, including dropped results to Eastern Washington and at home against Idaho State. Since then, they have won six out of seven matches.
They are currently in fifth place in the Big Sky Conference but have plenty to play for in the final week. A pair of wins, and Portland State could rise as high as second in the league standings with plenty of momentum entering the postseason.
On the road, Portland State is 4-6 this year. They have played seven of the previous nine matches at home, contributing to the hot streak they are currently riding. They are 3-3 in Big Sky play on the road.
The Vikings are third in the Big Sky in hitting percentage (.224) and second in assists (12.21/set) this year. They lead the league in serving with 1.80 aces per set.
The Vikings are the only team in the league that have a pair of attackers that rank in the top 10 in the Big Sky in kills. Sophia Meyers is 3^rd with 3.65 kills per set and Gabby Hollins is 10^th with 3.12.
Meyers also leads the league in aces with 0.47 per set, and she is also second in points at 4.32.
Ashleigh Barto ranks 6^th in the league with a .317 hitting percentage. Madison Friebel is 7^th with 6.14 assists per set.

SCOUTING SACRAMENTO STATE (19-9, 12-2 Big Sky)

The Hornets lost for just the second time during the league season last Friday in Portland. The Vikings upended them in four sets, ending the match with a 32-30 final set. The Hornets outhit the Vikings .366-to-.314 in the loss.
Sacramento State had a seven-match win streak snapped in the result. They hadn't lost since Oct. 12. They swept four opponents during the streak and defeated the other three in four sets.
The Hornets have played six of the previous nine matches at home. They are 5-1 on the road in Big Sky play.
One win this weekend is all that separates Sacramento State from an outright Big Sky Championship. They have already clinched a share of the regular season crown, which is the first since 2017 for the Hornets and 10^th overall in program history.
Sacramento State leads the Big Sky Conference in a variety of different categories. They are tops in hitting percentage (.243), opponent hitting percentage (.164), points (17.26/set), assists (12.31/set), opponent assists (10.00/set), kills (13.30/set), opponent kills (10.86/set), and blocks (2.57/set).
Bridgette Smith is 2^nd in the Big Sky with 3.72 kills per set. Kalani Hayes has the second-best hitting percentage in the league at .338 for the season.
Hayes leads the Big Sky in blocks with 1.21 per set. Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin is 5^th in the Big Sky with 1.13 per set.
Caty Cordano is 4^th in the Big Sky with 4.10 digs per set.

SERIES HISTORIES

Portland State leads the all-time series against Montana 65-19. The Grizzlies have been much better at home, with a 14-16 record against PSU. Montana won the last meeting on Nov. 3, 2022 in four sets. They have won three out of the last four in Missoula.
Sacramento State leads the all-time series 39-15. The Hornets also hold a 16-11 advantage in games played in Missoula. They are currently on a five-match winning streak in the series and have won nine of the last 10. The Grizzlies' last win came on Oct. 16, 2021, a sweep at home.

University of Montana Athletics

Griz close regular season at home, honor special group of seniors

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Players Mentioned

Carly Anderson

Sarah Ashley

Madi Chuhlantseff

Paige Clark

Jackie Howell

Ellie Scherffius

Catie Semadeni

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