MISSOULA, Mont. -- The Idaho volleyball team fell in five sets (17-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-23, 10-15) to Montana on Saturday afternoon in Dahlberg Arena.

Senior Nikki Ball had one of her brightest performances of the season, recording a double-double with a season-best 17 kills and 11 total blocks. It was tied for the most blocks by the Folsom, Calif. native since 2018-19 (Grand Canyon). Sophomore Delaney Nicoll also added to an efficient day on the attack for the Vandals, tallying 16 kills on a .306 hitting percentage while Allison Munday added 15 kills.

The Vandals were set up by a combination of Hailey Pelton and Peyten Ely. Pelton recorded a season-high 32 assists while Ely added 21.

The Griz looked locked in from the start, taking an early 2-0 lead with the Vandals in need of answer.

The Vandals found themselves down 7-11 in set three before responding with an 8-1 run to take command. Idaho would not surrender the lead and earn the 25-23 victory behind a team-high 18 kills. Eight of the teams 18 kills by Ball came in the set to help lead the Vandals past Montana.

The fourth frame of the match saw 17 ties and seven lead changes in a tight battle throughout with no team leading by more than two points. The Vandals were stout on the defensive end, tallying nine total blocks to help push the match to a fifth set after earning a 25-23 win.

Munday scored the first point of the fifth set but the Griz would answer with a 7-1 run to put the momentum back in their favor. Idaho was able to get back within striking distance after a 3-0 run that made the score 14-10 but ultimately the Grizzlies closed out any chance of a comeback, winning 15-10.  

The Vandals tallied a season-best 19 blocks on the afternoon but the Grizzlies hit an efficient .256 and tallied 67 kills to help earn the victory.

Up next, the Vandals continue their three-game road trip when they travel to Eastern Washington on Nov. 9.