Sept. 29, 2009

Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. - After a five-day layoff, the Gonzaga University women's volleyball team hit the court refreshed and refocused, earning a 3-1 victory over the University of Montana Tuesday at the Martin Centre. The Bulldogs defeated the Lady Griz 25-16, 25-21, 11-25, 25-15 to break a three-match losing streak and improve their record to 4-8. Montana, coached by Jerry Wagner, a former GU assistant and a former assistant at both Oregon State University and Montana State University under Zag head coach Dave Gantt, fell to 5-9 on the season.

"I think it is evident at this point that we are an ok team when we pass and receive well," stated Gantt after the match. "I was really really please with our consistency in the first two sets. We knew that Montana would make a run at us in set three but didn't know we would respond that badly. Overlooking that, I can say we had two good sets to start the match and a fourth to win the match. I am glad we bent in this match, but didn't break and stuck it out."

Gonzaga jumped to a 1-0 lead with an easy 25-16 set one victory. The Bulldogs finished the match with a strong .227 hitting percentage with 10 kills and five errors on 22 total attempts. The Lady Griz had 11 more attack attempts than the Zas but couldn't overcome GU's defense, finishing with only eight kills and eight errors on 33 attempts for a .000 hitting clip.

Senior Emily Johnson was on fire in the opening set, tallying four kills and a .500 hitting percentage. Senior Michelle Boevers and sophomore Kaprina Goodwin were the defensive monsters above the net, blocking three Montana kill attempts.

Unlike matches in the past, Gonzaga kept its composure and played extremely well in set two. With the set a lot closer throughout, the Bulldogs buckled down during the final stretch to capture the four point victory. It was Boevers who hammered home the final point to put Gonzaga up 2-0 going into intermission.

Gonzaga finished the second set with 14 kills and a .182 hitting percentage. Montana only had nine kills, and eight errors again, on 28 attempts for a .036 attacking clip.

Set three didn't go the way the Bulldogs had hoped as Montana put together the best hitting outing of the match to claim the lopsided 25-11 victory. The Lady Griz hit an impressive .407 with 13 kills and only two errors on 27 total attempts.

Montana closed out the set with a 10-1 run, including the final three points.

Needing a spark of life in set four, Gonzaga found it in libero Allyson Powell. The junior served up two straight service aces to begin the set, which ultimately revived the Bulldogs desire. Senior Layne Brosky went on to have four of her team high 10 kills in the fourth set, including back-to-back kills to turn a two point GU lead into a four point advantage at 17-13. Jack of all trades Kelsey Bashaw added four kills of her own, along five assists and a block assist.

"I am glad we got this win. It helps set a tone heading in our conference home opener with the University of Portland on Saturday," said Gantt.

Gonzaga had five players finish in double-figure kills. Along with Broksy, Boevers added eight, Cozad and Johnson both had seven and Bashaw finished with six. Boevers also had three service aces, four block assists and two digs.

Powell collected a match high 14 digs in the victory and served up four aces.

Leading the way for Montana was Jamie Thibeault with 13 kills and seven block assists.

Both teams finished the match with 42 kills. Gonzaga held the slight 40-38 edge in digs and a 8-3 advantage in service aces. Montana had a 12-10 lead in total blocks.

Gonzaga opens West Coast Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 3 against the University of Portland at the Martin Centre at 1 p.m.

"It is nice we open at home and it is a single-match weekend. We are as healthy as we have been all year and I think we are as confident as we have been all year. Phase two of the season begins Saturday," explained Gantt.