Cats Maul Griz

Saturday, September 26

BOZEMAN

7 p.m.

Montana State University

3-7, 1-1

Montana

4-10, 0-2

Montana

Montana State

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

9/26/2015 10:14:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Montana State first-year head coach JJ Riley rode the arm of freshman Natalie Passeck and the result was a 12-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-22 win over Montana to snap a nine-match losing streak to the Grizzlies inside Shroyer Gym. MSU’s last win over Montana came in 2005.

By: Tom Schulz

In with the new, out with the old.

Montana State first-year head coach JJ Riley rode the arm of freshman Natalie Passeck and the result was a 12-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-22 win over Montana to snap a nine-match losing streak to the Grizzlies inside Shroyer Gym. MSU's last win over Montana came in 2005.

The start of the match was reminiscent of past Brawl of the Wild contests in Shroyer as Montana (4-10, 0-2) roared to a convincing opening set win by out-hitting Montana State (3-7, 1-1) .476 to -.033.

The Bobcats quickly evened the score getting out to a 17-11 lead in set two, winning the stanza on a UM hitting miscue.

MSU held its momentum coming out of intermission taking another 17-11 cushion following a Natalee Godfrey kill. The Bobcats closed out the set as a Grizzly serve went long.

In the pivotal fourth set, Montana State opened with a 10-7 run, before Montana countered with seven straight points to take a 14-10 advantage. The Bobcats halted the stretch and evened the score at 16-all on a Godfrey block.

With the score tied a 18-all, MSU used a Passeck kill, coupled with a Kiana Black and Katie Harrington block and a Montana hitting error to take a 21-18 margin. The Bobcats held its three-point advantage at 23-20 on another Passeck winner. Montana pulled to within 23-22, but back-to-back kills by Loni Kreun gave the Bobcats the victory.

"After that opening set it was nice to see us keep our composure, get relaxed and get our minds focused," Riley said. "The fourth set was also huge. We grew with this match. We had a big response after Montana went on their run. That was something we didn't do against Idaho State on Thursday."

Passeck, a product of Parker, Colorado, finished with a team-high 15 kills, while hitting .225 from the field and adding six digs. Kreun finished with 11 kills and eight digs, while Godfrey chipped in ten kills and five blocks.

"Natalie Passeck was hitting harder than what we've seen from her this season," Riley said. "For a freshman to play so fearless in this environment speaks well for our future. Loni (Kreun) struggled at times, but the sign of a great player is how they fight through it, and she played exceptionally well in the fourth set when we needed her the most."

Defensively, Montana State was led by Kasey Altman with 13 digs, while Dana Vestman added nine saves. In addition to Godfrey's prowess at the net, Alex Rader notched five blocks.

Montana was guided by Hannah Sackett with a match-high 16 kills and was the only Grizzly in double-digits. Sadie Ahearn led UM in the back row with a match-high 16 digs.

Montana State will travel to Northern Colorado on Thursday.