The Grizzlies faced a tough challenge on the road against league-leading Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. Despite winning the first set, Montana ultimately lost the match, which ended in four sets. This defeat marked the Lumberjacks’ tenth consecutive home victory, maintaining their home season undefeated status.
Match Summary
The Grizzlies, entering the match with a three-game winning streak, displayed a strong performance in the first set. A total of 17 ties kept the score close, but Montana prevailed with a 25-23 win. The Grizzlies recorded an impressive 18 kills with only four errors, hitting .389 in the set.
Key Performers
- Delaney Russell: 5 kills, .400 hitting percentage
- Olivia LaBeau: 4 kills, .571 hitting percentage
Head coach Allison Lawrence expressed pride in her team’s start, praising their rhythm and ball-handling skills. However, the Lumberjacks adjusted their defense in the following sets, managing to limit Montana’s offensive effectiveness.
Set Breakdown
In the second set, Montana struggled and hit under .100, allowing Northern Arizona to take over with a 25-17 victory. The Lumberjacks then carried this momentum into the third set, taking an early lead of 10-6. Although the Grizzlies fought back to tie the match at 12-all, Northern Arizona secured the set, winning 25-22.
Final Set Dynamics
The final set was dominated by the Lumberjacks, who overcame a 7-1 deficit to finish with a 25-15 victory. Lawrence acknowledged Northern Arizona’s strong performance and emphasized her team’s need for a consistent defensive strategy to compete more effectively in future matches.
Looking Ahead
Montana’s performance against a top-ranked opponent showed promise, despite the loss. Key statistics included Northern Arizona hitting .283 compared to Montana’s .177. The Grizzlies struggled with serving, registering only one ace against seven errors.
Defensively, senior libero Alexis Batezel led the team with 20 digs, providing stability throughout the match. Moving forward, Montana must regroup before heading to Greeley, Colorado, to face Northern Colorado, a team that recently swept Montana State.
Future Challenges
The Grizzlies need to focus on learning from this match to prepare for upcoming competitions. They have a crucial opportunity to break their 21-match losing streak against Northern Colorado on Saturday.
Coach Lawrence remains optimistic about her team’s growth and resilience, highlighting their ability to respond under pressure. With continued dedication and preparation, there is potential for success in the upcoming match.
