Griz continue tough preseason schedule in North Dakota

Montana vs. Green Bay
Thursday, Sept. 7 / 3:00 p.m. (MT) / Live Stats

Montana vs. New Mexico
Friday, Sept. 8 / 3:00 p.m. (MT) / Live Stats

Montana at North Dakota
Saturday, Sept. 9 / 12:00 p.m. (MT) / Watch ($) / Live Stats

The trials of Montana's non-conference schedule will continue this week in Grand Forks, North Dakota as the Grizzlies face off against a trio of very different opponents at the UND Classic. Montana open with Green Bay and New Mexico in neutral site matches before closing out the tournament with host North Dakota.

The only match that will be available for streaming is the finale against North Dakota.

In a preseason built to test the Grizzlies championship resolve, this weekend will prove no different from the previous two. Green Bay went 23-11 last season and have had three 20-win seasons under current head coach Abbey Sutherland. New Mexico had 17 wins overall in 2022 playing out of the Mountain West, and North Dakota is a former Big Sky power looking to regain form.

"I think this tournament is a really good opportunity for us to have a strong showing," head coach Allison Lawrence said. "I think all of the teams in this tournament are fighting to be breakout teams in their conferences. New Mexico has had the most dramatic trajectory upward and are really well coached. North Dakota is in a second year under a new coach and a team that is young in the system but hungry to reestablish where they were in the Big Sky and dominating a couple of years ago.

"Green Bay, we played them two years ago and it went five and was this barnburner match. They play a lot like us and are used to having success in their conference," Lawrence continued. "I expect all these matches could be five-set craziness. But I think that's exactly where we need to be and I know we're hungry to have a big response from last weekend."

If you look solely at Montana's 1-5 record through two weeks, and particularly if you compare it to the 4-2 mark from this point in 2022, you can get an incomplete picture of the capabilities and potential of this Montana team.

The six opponents they have played so far have a combined 26-10 (.722) record, and two of them are currently ranked in the top 10 of the AVCA Coaches' Poll. Montana are battling hard, but wins have been difficult to come by. It doesn't mean that at the midway point of the non-conference that Lawrence and associate head coach Dana Hallisey haven't seen growth in the team.

Last weekend in Buffalo, they won against defending America East regular season champs Binghamton and played well against two teams in Buffalo and DePaul that would rank towards the top of the Big Sky in RPI.

"I think it was a great weekend, and I think sometimes it sounds funny to say a 1-2 weekend was great but how we planned for the preseason and what we want out of it is growth and tools gained for conference play," Lawrence said. "We played teams that are going to compete in their conference to be top three."

There were plenty of little things that stood out to Lawrence during the flow of the match that may not jump out on a stat sheet. The way they handled themselves in the match, and improved on the things that needed improvement, made it a worthwhile weekend.

The good competition helped bring that out, and Montana got better and better as the weekend wore on. In fact, Lawrence thought her team may have looked better in the two losses to close out the weekend than it did in the win over Binghamton.

"It was great to see that level of competition and I was really pleased with what it pulled out of our group as the weekend went on," Lawrence said. "I think ball control and first contact stuff that you don't necessarily see in the box score always, we finished the tournament at a higher quality than we started."

They now face off against three more solid teams in the course of three days. Lawrence said that she enjoys these non-conference tournaments because it replicates what you would need to do at the Big Sky Championships.

It will be difficult to prepare for three teams in as many days, particularly when they play such different brands of volleyball. Green Bay have been one of the most terminal teams in the country, dominating at the net defensively and not allowing long rallies.

New Mexico, meanwhile, are one of the best in the nation in ground defense and extend points to the point of frustration. They will have plenty of opportunities to attack Montana's defense, and are hoping to break them down with quantity.

North Dakota, meanwhile, is a bit of an unknown, playing in just its second season under head coach Jesse Tupac. The Grizzlies have had the edge on the Fighting Hawks lately, but UND is very good inside the "Betty" and will have the backing of the home fans.

It all sets up another potentially trying week for Montana. After the win against Binghamton, Lawrence said that the only way out of their difficult non-conference schedule was through. They continue to march on in Grand Forks on Thursday.

"Growth is painful, and we knew this year could come with some pain," Lawrence said. "I think we're feeling that as we butt up against our new standard and fall short, but I think ultimately it's pushing us further than we've been so it's exciting."

Week Three Montana Griz Volleyball Press Conference with Allison Lawrence https://t.co/hXSmz5cMHo
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) September 4, 2023

THE SENIORS ARE SUPER

Montana are led this year by a trio of seniors who have seen the team go from the lows a 2-14 COVID shortened spring season to the highs of last year's 17-win year. Sarah Ashley, Ellie Scherffius, and Catie Semadeni have a chance to end their Griz careers on another high note, and have been big contributors so far.

Scherffius earned All-Tournament honors at the Ellesyn Invitational, the seventh time in her career that she earned a place on such a list. Catie Semadeni played a crucial role in Montana's win against Binghamton, leading the match with 18 kills on .536 hitting. Ashley has been huge off the bench as a defensive specialist, serving up seven aces and constantly creating momentum for Montana in that aspect of the game.

Lawrence noted that the veteran leadership that the three provide on the court, along with that of Jackie Howell who would also be playing her senior season if not for an injury, has been huge for the growth of Montana's younger players.

KREMER'S BREAKOUT

Maddie Kremer impressed home fans with her high-flying and hard-hitting at the Ellesyn Invitational to open the season. She built upon that good play in Buffalo, setting her career high for kills twice in three matches and proving herself as one of the top players on Montana.

She finished her sophomore season with 21 total kills in just 30 sets played. This year, she shares the team lead with 58 kills (2.52/set) and has stepped up defensively as a six-rotation attacker. She is second on Montana with 44 digs, and has been put under constant pressure in the service game.

"She's a high-flyer. You come watch her and she's kind of the quintessential pin attacker that is so fun to watch," Lawrence said of Kremer. "She's flying through the air and she's super powerful, very graceful. I think her ability to push and learn and I think the growth in her from week one to week two is really exciting. I think you're seeing an athlete that is going to break into that all-conference level scene and conversation, and I don't even know if she knows that yet."

ALL-TOURNEY ANDERSON

Setter Carly Anderson was named to the All-Tournament team at the Buffalo Invite. She finished the weekend with 129 assists (9.92/set) and played a big role in the attack as well with eight kills and six service aces.

Anderson, a senior from Canada, ranks 68^th in the country and 2^nd in the Big Sky in total assists. It was the third time in her career that Anderson has been named to a preseason All-Tournament Team. Her first-ever recognition came in 2021 at the UND Classic, and she will hope to recreate that success in 2023.

FIVE-SET SUCCESS

Montana have been at their best in the late match stages, winning their seventh consecutive five-set last weekend against Binghamton. The Grizzlies haven't lost a five-set match since October of 2021, and finished a perfect 4-0 in such matches during the 2022 season.

They outscored opponents 60-38 in fifth sets in 2022. It's been a strength of the program under head coach Allison Lawrence, who is 23-14 in her career in five-set matches.

"I think we are a team that last year and in the beginning of this year are prone to big swings in momentum which don't serve you well in a fifth set," Lawrence said. "But there's something about the fifth set being so much shorter that allows us to have a concentrated effort that we must manage really well."

LAWRENCE LEADS ON

The 2022 Big Sky Coach of the Year Allison Lawrence signed a contract last week that will run until the conclusion of the 2024 season, keeping her in Missoula for a minimum of two years. It was a well-earned deal for someone who has transformed Montana volleyball in her time in charge.

Lawrence enters the weekend with a 56 career wins, and is just one shy of Nikki Best for the third-most in program history. Dick Scott, who coached for 21 years, is the program leader with 403 wins, followed by Jerry Wagner (2006-14) with 102.

"When you're trying to turn something around or change it, and when you deeply care, the health of the program is so connected to your health," Lawrence said earlier in the week. "It feels really good to know that the program is so healthy, and I think that allows me to acknowledge that I also feel healthy in it. My driver this whole time has been, can I love this thing back to life? That piece has been unbelievably meaningful to me."

The reigning Big Sky Coach of the Year is staying in Missoula a while longer.

📰 https://t.co/4YDWEKENSn #GrizVB | #BigSkyVB | #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/jFW4LBqCJU
— Montana Griz Volleyball (@MontanaGrizVB) September 5, 2023

GRIZ NOTES

After the success of the Ellesyn Invitational, which saw Montana draw an average crowd of 731, Montana ranks 69^th in the NCAA in attendance. The figure has been on the rise across volleyball, and all of women's sports, in recent years, highlighted by a world record 92,000-plus crowd for Nebraska early in the season. The Grizzlies averaged 679 fans at home matches last year, the most since 1993 and the first time eclipsing the 600-mark since 1995.
Montana have played the 12^th-hardest schedule in the entire country so far this year according to NCAA Statistics. The Grizzlies opponents are a combined 26-10 (.722) so far in 2023.
The tough schedule has hurt Montana's statistical rankings across the board. Montana's top category is team assists, where they rank 5^th in the Big Sky with 243. The Grizzlies are 7^th in kills per set (11.3) and total attacks (719).
Defenses have keyed in on returning First Team All-Big Sky performer Paige Clark this year, limiting her to a .056 hitting percentage. She averages just over 2.5 kills per set and shares the team lead with Maddie Kremer at 58 total kills.
The two middle blockers, Madi Chuhlantseff and Ellie Scherffius, have been heavily involved in Montana's attack. Chuhlantseff is fourth on the team with 41 kills (.245 hitting), while Scherffius has been Montana's most efficient offensive weapon with a .346 hitting percentage (39 kills).
Scherffius has been Montana's top defensive player, averaging 0.91 blocks per set to rank 12^th in the Big Sky.
Last year, an aggressive service game was a key component of Montana's success. They have struggled at times to recreate that in 2023, recording 32 aces but committing 51 errors. Meanwhile, opponents have 50 aces and just 44 errors in a category that has swung several tight sets.
Alexis Batezel has taken over the libero position for Montana and leads the team this year with 82 digs (3.57/set). She is 7^th in the Big Sky and 152^nd nationally in the category. The sophomore from Las Vegas has also been heavily targeted in the service game and is relied upon often to initiate Montana's offense.

SCOUTING THE FIELD

GREEN BAY PHOENIX (2-4, 0-0 HORIZON)

Green Bay opened the season on an impressive note, sweeping a pair of opponents during a 2-1 performance at the Rumble in the Rockies. They couldn't match the success last weekend at the Clemson Invitational, losing all three matches to fall to 2-4 on the year.
The Phoenix finished 23-11 last season with a 13-5 record in Horizon League play. They reached the semifinals of the conference tournament before being swept by Northern Kentucky.
Head coach Abbey Sutherland enters her sixth season at the helm of the Phoenix program. She has led them to great success, including three 20-win seasons and a Horizon League Championship in 2018 that earned her Coach of the Year honors.
Green Bay finished 109^th in the final RPI standings of 2022, which would have ranked second among Big Sky schools.
The net defense has been strong for the Phoenix, ranking 39^th in the NCAA with 2.78 blocks/set. It is led by Tiffany Paalman, who individually ranks 58^th in the country with 1.44 blocks/set.
They lead the Horizon League and rank 58^th in the NCAA with 12.67 assists per set. Setter Calli Gentry is the motor behind that production, averaging 11 assists/set to rank 27^th in the NCAA and first in her conference.
They play a different style than Montana's second-day opponent New Mexico, ending points quickly whether in the attack or at the net. They rank outside of the top 200 in the country in only two categories, team digs and total attacks.

NEW MEXICO LOBOS (4-2, 0-0 MWC)

New Mexico have ended the first two weekends with winning records, going 2-1 on the road at the UC Irvine Invitational and then 2-1 at home last week at the Lobo Invitational.
The Lobos went 17-12 in 2022 with an 8-10 record in Mountain West play to finish 5th. They went 3-0 against Big Sky opposition, defeating Northern Arizona twice and sweeping Portland State.
Head coach Jon Newman-Gonchar is in his fifth season at New Mexico and has a 56-53 career record.
One of the strengths of the Lobos is the ground defense, which ranks third in the entire NCAA so far this season. They average 19.9 digs per set, trailing the national leader Seton Hall by just .08. They are also fourth in total digs, and as a result have had plenty of offensive chances this year.
The Lobos average 40 attacks per set, the 10^th most in the country and 13 more than Montana.
Angela Crosetti is ninth in the NCAA in total digs, and the Lobos have four players that rank inside the top 300 in that category.
Uxue Guereca is 53^rd in the NCAA with 4.17 kills/set, and is also 27^th in total points with 55.5.
Setter Melissa Walden ranks 29^th in the country in total assists with 116.

NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING HAWKS (1-5, 0-0 SUMMIT)

North Dakota enter the week with the same record as Montana after picking up their first win of the season last weekend at the Abilene Christian Tournament. The Fighting Hawks defeated Grambling State 3-1 in the tournament opener.
The Fighting Hawks finished 12-18 in 2022, and had a 9-9 record in Summit League play. They traveled to Missoula for the Ellesyn Invitational, losing to host Montana in straight sets.
They have already played on Big Sky team this season, losing in four sets to Montana State in Bozeman. A former member of the Big Sky, North Dakota have lost six straight matches to members of the league dating back to 2019.
Head coach Jesse Tupac is in his second season at North Dakota and has a 13-23 record. He returns 10 players from 2022's 12-win team, but also brings in eight newcomers.
North Dakota are 138-83 all-time when playing inside the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center, which first opened in August 2004.
The Fighting Hawks are being outhit .143-to-.221 this season. They average over 1.5 blocks and nearly 12 digs per set, but have struggled in the serve-receive game. They have 25 aces compared to 56 service errors on the year, and commit nearly two reception errors per set.
Paige Barber leads UND with 2.41 kills per set. They have used a pair of setters this year, with Elizabeth Norris starting all six matches and leading the team with 4.82 assists per set. Teagan Timperley averages 3.37 per set and has played in 19 of 22 sets.
Marissa Stockman leads with 11 blocks (0.92 per set) this season. Maddy Hornyak has 52 digs (2.60 per set).

SERIES HISTORY

Montana holds a 3-0 record all-time against Green Bay. They are 2-0 in neutral site matches with both going five sets. They most recently played in 2021, and before that 2011.
New Mexico is 5-0 all-time against Montana, but the schools haven't met since 2005 and two of the matchups came in the early 80s. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools with the modern 25-point, five-set scoring system.
Montana is very familiar with North Dakota, a former Big Sky Conference member. They have played 18 times since the first meeting back in 2009. The Grizzlies took the first meeting, then lost 15 straight over a seven-year span. Montana has the edge since UND left the conference, sweeping the Fighting Hawks in 2021 and 2022.

UPCOMING
Montana will close out the non-conference schedule with a trip to southern Idaho for the Boise State Classic. The Griz will face off against South Dakota State, Loyola Marymount, and Boise State in the event.

Griz continue tough preseason schedule in North Dakota

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Carly Anderson

Sarah Ashley

Alexis Batezel

Madi Chuhlantseff

Paige Clark

Jackie Howell

Maddie Kremer

Ellie Scherffius

Catie Semadeni

University of Montana Athletics

Griz continue tough preseason schedule in North Dakota

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Carly Anderson

Sarah Ashley

Alexis Batezel

Madi Chuhlantseff

Paige Clark

Jackie Howell

Maddie Kremer

Ellie Scherffius

Catie Semadeni

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