Griz volleyball adds three

The Grizzly volleyball program is in the midst of one of its best seasons this century and it is only adding more talent as head coach Allison Lawrence added three players for the 2026 squad on Wednesday.

Brooklyn Pierce, Isa Taylor, and Kaylee Paulson will come to Missoula to join the Grizzlies next year.

"I'm excited about this class because of how dynamic and athletic they are," Lawrence said. "I love that with this class we've been able to maintain trends that are really producing for us now and are really going to challenge and push the core that we have now while also mirroring it in a way where we're getting another year better at things we've already shown to be good at."

The Grizzlies bring in two taller players that have the physicality that has been key to Montana's success this season. Pierce is 6-3 and a multi-sport athlete that can play multiple positions and Taylor is a 6-0 outside hitter with a strong arm.

Paulson doesn't have the same height, but what she lacks in that department she makes up for with her explosive athletic abilities. All three players should fit within the Grizzly system under Lawrence very well from day one.

"In Brooklyn and Isa there is a lot of length and physicality that is complimentary to the physicality that we have now. Adding more length to positions that are already pretty physical for us is really exciting," Lawrence said. "I think that Kaylee is dynamic in the same way, and she's a little undersized in ways that she matches more of a Josie or Delaney. She's an exceptional jumper and mover, so we're getting a lot of speed and explosiveness."

Pierce, from Billings, Mont., is the younger sister of Grizzly middle blocker Sydney Pierce. Brooklyn is a 6-3 middle blocker for the West High Golden Bears and won a state championship alongside her sister in 2023.

"I think there are advantages and meaningful pieces to have a sibling come join us," Lawrence said. "I think the narrative is that she's similar to Sydney in a lot of ways, but I think what I'm most looking forward to is how different she is from Sydney and making her own mark on this place. I think she's already done that in terms of her high school program and club teams."

A four-year letter winner in volleyball, Pierce has led her team deep into the state tournament all four years. She was a Second Team All-State member as a junior and captained the Bears this season.

Her high school team won two conference championships in her career, including an undefeated season in 2023. She was also a standout on the basketball floor, earning multiple All-State honors and winning a state title in 2023.

"There are distinct strengths that Brooklyn has in the speed of her arm, in the way she jumps and moves, and in the way that she is very versatile," Lawrence said. "I think with her length and ball control, it will be really exciting to see where she ends up on the floor."

And while Brooklyn will forge her own path with the Grizzlies, adding another high character person and player from a family that has proven they can be successful in Missoula.

"I think there's strengths that they both have in common and some of that has to do with the family system they were raised in and their toughness and who they are as people," Lawrence said.

Isa Taylor joins the Grizzlies from West Jordan, Utah where she played at Skyline HS. She is a 6-0 outside hitter with a stacked resume at both the high school and club level.

Taylor started all four years of her high school career, recording over 1,000 kills as a prep between two high schools. She earned All-State honors at the 6A level in 2023 and was First Team All-State at the 5A level in 2024 and 2025.

Her team won the state title in 2024 and finished runners-up in 2025 at the 5A level.

"She has great ball control and range as an attacker," Lawrence said. "She hits with a lot of pace, she's an elite-level passer and ball control player, and she has great vision to where she can use a block and has the size to hit at angles around the block."

Taylor also received an invite to the Under Armour UA Next Camp in 2025 and was a 16u USAV Beach Volleyball national champion in 2024. She was a four-time Utah state beach volleyball champion from 2017-20.

Her club team also took 3^rd place in the 18u Triple Crown NIT Elite Division in 2025 and were finished runner-up in 2025 in the 17u Triple Crown Summer NIT Elite Division.

"I think whenever you can add a player with her playing experience it's a great thing," Lawrence said. "Her club teams are phenomenal with players going to top programs around the country and she's played against that her whole club career. She just comes from a very competitive volleyball area and has been counted on in high pressure situations."

Kaylee Paulson joins the Grizzlies from nearby Coeur d'Alene, Idaho as a graduate of Coeur d'Alene HS. Paulson is a 5-10 outside hitter and a two-sport athlete, also playing basketball in her high school career.

"She's an incredibly hard worker and a smart player," Lawrence said. "I think her growth from her sophomore year to junior year was so outstanding and I think she reminds me of players we've had in our program that are very athletic and great movers and needed enough volleyball experience to take off, and you saw that between her sophomore and junior seasons."

Paulson earned All-League honors in both 2024 and 2025 with her team winning conference championships in both of those years. She was also named the Newcomer of the Year in 2024.

Her team finished 3^rd at state twice after winning conference championships. She played her club volleyball at College Preparatory Academy (CPA) and has played against current Grizzly Annika Wright in her career.

"I think she's going to add a ton of speed and dynamic ability and just a fantastic work ethic," Lawrence said. "Our current team's commitment and mindset around work ethic has attracted a lot of people with that similar mindset, and when I watch our pins, (Paulson) reminds me of the gear that they play in."

University of Montana Athletics

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