Nov. 15, 2004

Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga University Bulldogs had a chances to win in games three and four on Monday night but could not put away the visiting University of Montana as the Grizzlies rallied to win games three and four in extra time during a four game non-conference victory. Montana (8-17) won the exciting match 24-30, 30-26, 34-32, 31-29 behind the strong play of Claudia Houle who finished with 32 kills and 27 digs. Gonzaga falls to 4-24 on the season and will finish the year on Saturday night with a West Coast Conference match at Portland.

Gonzaga's offense came out firing in game one as the Bulldogs connected for a .333 attack percentage. Briawna Mueller was the big Gonzaga weapon with six of her team-high 17 kills coming in the first game. Mueller also kept the Bulldogs in the match with her defensive play at the net as she finished with 10 blocks, nine of them assisted. This marks the third time this season that Mueller has reached double-digit blocks. Gonzaga finished the match with a 28-22 block advantage.

Montana found the answer in game two as Houle helped the Grizzlies combined for 20 kills and a .239 attack percentage. Montana would be even more effective in game three hitting .308 as a team. Despite the high attacking percentage by Montana, Gonzaga had two chances to win the match but could not put either point down.

The same was true in game four as the Bulldogs held a 29-27 advantage before Montana scored the final four points. Houle was joined in double-figures by Audrey Jenson with 15 kills and Alice Myers with 15. Gonzaga also had three players reach double-digit kills as Lauren Armas finished with 16 and Becky Jones knocked down 15.

Both teams also played solid defense with five Gonzaga players reaching double-digit digs and four Montana players climbing into double-digits. Houle led all players with 27 for Montana while Jessica Herrera had 19 to pace the Gonzaga quintet.

"I'm sure our team is frustrated with the result" said head coach Kip Yoshimura after the match, "but our team played hard and we just didn't get the result we wanted. I think we played with a great deal of energy in all four games and now we will try to keep up that energy level as play Portland to end the season on Saturday."