MISSOULA, Mont. - Idaho Volleyball had a pair of early leads in the final two sets, but couldn't capitalize in Dahlberg Arena, falling to Montana in straight sets to move to 0-4 in Big Sky play. The Vandals started strong hitting in the opening frame before cooling off in the back two, unable to stop the Grizzly attack for long as Montana hit .414 or better in two of the three.
UM set the tone immediately, hitting a scorching .500 to UI's .310 in the opener and holding a nine-point advantage late in the set before closing it out 25-17. Despite trailing 9-18, Idaho clawed back and made Montana earn the win. Allie Ferrin, Sarah Sullivan, and Alaina Armstrong led a late Vandal surge that included a 5-1 run before the hosts put it away.
The Black and Gold responded to the loss, surging to an 11-5 lead behind a strong serving run from Kiana Greer, who tallied all three of her aces in the second period. However, untimely hitting errors from the visitors spurred a rally from the maroon and silver, erasing the deficit and pulling away late for a five-point win and a 2-0 edge.
Idaho came out flying in the third, winning the first seven points and bolting to a stunning 10-1 lead. Greer, Sullivan, and Koen Makaula were regulars on the stat sheet that earned the Vandals the early advantage that read 17-7 late in the set. A combination of Vandal errors and Grizzly kills began to narrow the tally at 18-15, and a series of runs from both teams earned them free volleyball when the scoreboard knotted up at 24-all. UI gave one away, responded with two of their own, then UM rattled off three in a row to clinch the result.
Greer led Idaho with 12 kills while Alaina Armstrong and Sarah Sullivan each added seven. Csenge Krakoczki distributed 31 assists. Idaho hit just .187 as a team and was outblocked 7-3. The Vandals out-dug the Grizzlies 67-55 despite the final tally.
UP NEXT
Idaho closes the road trip with an unusual midweek match at Eastern Washington on Tuesday, Oct. 6. First serve from Reese Court is set for 6 p.m. PT.
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