Sept. 2, 2004

SPOKANE, Wash. - The 2004 volleyball season opened on a losing note for the Gonzaga University (0-1) volleyball team despite a big offensive night by senior outside hitter Christina Davis. Montana State University (1-0) took advantage of an experienced roster as the preseason Big Sky Conference favorites knocked off Gonzaga, 3-0.

Montana State was led by Kim Stonehouse with 18 kills and Megan Zanto with 16 kills as the Bobcats combined for a .309 attack percentage on the night. MSU jumped out to a big lead in the first game before holding off a late Gonzaga rally for a 30-27 win. Montana State again dominated play in the third game holding Gonzaga to just eight kills during a 30-17 victory.

Davis paced the Bulldogs offense with 19 kills on 45 attempts including seven kills during the second game of the match as Gonzaga held a 28-23 advantage only to watch MSU rally for a 32-30 victory. Meggie Malyurek dropped in back-to-back service aces to bring Montana State to a 29-29 tie. Davis would then hammer down a kill to put Gonzaga within one point of winning the game but a service error, Bulldogs attacking error and Angela Wiebe service ace handed the Bobcats the win.

"We played some great volleyball during stretches of tonight's match," head coach Kip Yoshimura said on his young team's performance. "I was happy with the way we fought to get back into game one and how we pushed out to a good lead in game two. Now we need to learn how to finish off those games and I think we are close to doing that."

Davis also led the Bulldogs with 12 digs while Jessica Herrera added 11. Senior setter Emilee Gihring had 39 assists for Gonzaga. The Bulldogs two freshmen starters also had solid contributions as Alecia Douglas had six digs and one ace while Briawna Mueller led Gonzaga with four assisted blocks.

Montana State setter Kamber Kelly finished with 39 assists and a match-high 17 digs while Wiebe had three aces.

Gonzaga heads to Boise State University for weekend tournament action as the Bulldogs take on the host Broncos on Friday night followed by Saturday matches against New Mexico State University and Weber State University.