For the first time since 2014, WSU volleyball is set to take on the University of Montana in its second spring season match.
The Cougs go into the match with some momentum after taking down the Idaho Vandals 4-1 nearly three weeks ago.
The Grizzlies should be a much tougher opponent for the Cougars. The Griz finished fourth in the Big Sky Conference with a 17-11 overall record and swept the Vandals, winning in straight sets each time.
Offensively last season, they were led by outside hitters Delaney Russell, Mylee Blake and middle blocker Sydney Pierce, all of whom are set to stay with the Griz this season. Russell had 377 kills, Blake 231 and Pierce 236.
Russell was named to the Big Sky All-Conference First Team honors.
Senior setter Gracie Cagle is also set to return. She led the Grizzlies in assists and service aces, with 1048 and 46, respectively. She also had 83 kills and earned Big Sky All-Conference Second Team honors.
Defensive specialist Alexis Batezel and middle blocker Carley Spachman led the Montana defense last season. Batezel recorded 484 digs, and Spachman had 109 blocks — both led the Griz. But both graduated and will not be returning.
In place of Batezel, they have sophomore defensive specialist Madeline Sanderson, who recorded 245 digs. Russell and Cagle also both recorded over 285 digs. Cagle and Pierce were strong blockers, too. Each had over 40 blocks.
Tonight the Cougs should focus on the serve-receive game. Last season the Grizzlies allowed 123 service aces, the fewest in the Big Sky. The Cougs dominated the serve-receive game three weeks ago when they defeated the Vandals. They recorded nine service aces, compared to Idaho’s six. The serve-receive game could be a way to set the tone at the beginning of each point for the Cougs.
The Griz should focus on feeding Russell and Blake as early and often as possible. The Cougs struggled blocking Vandal’s outside hitters Sarah Sullivan and Kiana Greer. They combined for 16 kills, and both recorded three kills each within the first 19 points of the first set.
Although the Cougs went on to win the first set against Idaho, they may not be able to do the same against a much more competent Montana team.
The Cougs will also need to get the ball to their most accurate attackers. Statistically, that is middle blocker Lucie Blažková, and per the eye test, it is outside hitter Emerson Matthews.
Montana had the fourth-most digs (1,744) but the third-fewest blocks (206.5). The Cougs should be able to get the ball past the net, but need to hit the ball accurately to not allow the Grizzlies to keep points alive. This is important because Montana lost its best statistical blocker, but still has some players, such as Russell, Sanderson and Cagle, who can dig up balls.
One key matchup to look out for is the middle-blocker battle between 6-foot-3 Blažková and 6-foot-4 Pierce. Both hit over .320 and had over 230 kills and 75 blocks last season. Blažková and Pierce can swing momentum with just one block or kill.
First serve is at 7 p.m. tonight at Lewis and Clark High School. It will be the fourth all-time matchup between the two teams. WSU is 3-0 in the series and has only ever dropped one set.
