The University of Idaho women’s volleyball team lost to the University of Montana in a close three sets to two on Saturday.
In a thrilling back-and-forth match, the two teams battled it out on the court. They each took a set before the Grizzlies found their groove, winning the final two sets.
UI freshmen outside hitters Taryn Vrieling and Olivia Gloeckner, along with graduate student outside hitter Allison Munday, ended the day with 18, 16 and 12 kills respectfully. Montana sophomore outside hitter Paige Clark gave the Grizzlies 15 kills while junior middle blocker Ellie Scherffius and senior outside hitter Catie Semadeni each had 14.
The beginning of set one started off with Montana scoring five unanswered points. Vrieling was then able to get a kill off an assist from freshmen setter Kate Doorn to set up the Vandals first point of the series. The Vandals were then able to bring the game within one behind more kills from Vrieling and one from Gloeckner.
With the pressure mounting, the Grizzlies began making constant mistakes, allowing the Vandals to tie the game at 10-10 with a service ace from Doorn. There was no looking back for Idaho as a kill from Munday and block by junior middle blocker Travel Morris ignited the home crowd. Idaho never let Montana comeback, winning set one 25-18.
The Vandals, when operating at their peak, became a suffocating offensive powerhouse. In set two, the offense was led by Vrieling, who at one point in set one sent a kill over so powerful that, even though it was blocked, flew into the second story. With the aid of the veteran presence of Munday, and the athletically gifted Gloeckner, the Idaho offensive looked unstoppable. However, this team also has little college experience as 12 players are freshmen. The team’s inexperience showed during set two when the Vandals’ lead dwindled as the Grizzlies tied it at 16-16. Montana would then go on to outscore the Vandals 8-2, ending set two 25-17.
In set three, the Vandals came out renewed. Once Idaho broke 10 points in the set, they were off to the races, quickly getting to 19 points while Montana sat at 13. However, the Grizzlies wouldn’t remain idle as Scherffius got three kills of her own. Idaho also had a couple attack errors, which allowed Montana to get back into the game. Despite their valiant effort, Montana was unable to take a lead as freshman middle blocker Julia Dickeson and freshman outside hitter Taylor Brickey aided Idaho in getting to match point. Gloeckner was set up for the kill by Doty, and she sent the ball through the block to win set three for Idaho 25-22.
Despite their great play in the first three sets, Idaho began to falter as set four was dominated by Montana. After going back-and-forth to start the set, Clark and Scherffius began picking up the pace for Montana. Idaho tried to get back into the game from kills by Gloeckner, Morris and Munday, but were never able to make a comeback as Montana took the set 25-19.
This led to the final of set five where Montana gave no quarter for the Vandals. Semadeni got four of her 14 kills in set five, picking up the heat left off from the previous set. Senior outside hitter Jackie Howell was also a weapon in set four as she sent a kill over to set up match point for the Grizzlies.
Idaho, staring at defeat, made one last run behind Morris’ three kills in the set. The Vandals were able to gain momentum in the final moments as they got the score to 14-11. When it looked as though Idaho was going to comeback, a service error gave Montana match point, leaving the final score 15-11.
Although the final result may not have been what the Vandals were looking for, the team’s individual stats were great. Doorn led in assists with 34 followed by Pelton with 13. On the defensive side of the ball, Gloeckner and Morris led in blocks with four each.
Idaho begins their next stretch of away games against Weber State University on Nov. 3 at 5 p.m.
Ricky Simmons can be reached at [email protected]