Sept. 22, 2003

Box Score

MISSOULA, Mont. - The Gonzaga University Bulldogs (3-10) captured their third win of the season and second of the weekend on Monday night as they defeated the University of Montana 3-1 in Missoula after weekend action at the Montana State Wingate Inn-vitational. The 24-30, 30-24, 30-21, 30-23 victory also ended a seven-match losing streak to the Grizzlies dating back to the 1998 season when GU defeated Montana, 3-2, in Missoula.

After losing the first game of the evening Gonzaga responded well as Abby Cullen led a trio of players in double-digit kills as she hammered down 19 kills on 32 attacks for a .469 attack percentage. The rest of the Bulldogs offense followed suit as the team combined for a .326 hitting percentage, their lowest total coming on a .229 clip in the final game.

Natasha Kozen and Christina Davis followed the strong play of Cullen on offense as Kozen had 16 kills and Davis finished with 14 and 14 digs. Setter Emilee Gihring had all players clicking as she passed 52 assists, a season-high for the Bulldogs offense that finished with 63-54 kill advantage.

Montana (5-7) jumped out the gate early in the match with a .382 attack percentage. Lizzie Wertz was the Grizzlies big weapon with a match-high 21 kills on the night. Audrey Jensen was the only other Montana player to crack double-digits finishing with 11 kills. Wertz also led Montana with 15 digs.

Gonzaga was dominant at the net with a 12-1 team block advantage. Cullen led all players with eight assisted blocks while Kozen chipped in with six assisted blocks.

The Bulldogs return to action on Wednesday night with a match at Eastern Washington before taking off the weekend. West Coast Conference play will begin for the Bulldogs on Oct. 3 & 4 when Santa Clara and San Diego visit the Martin Centre.