MISSOULA – The Montana volleyball team knows all about the importance of its next match, as it’s one the Grizzlies look forward to all year. Montana plays at Montana State Tuesday night.
Both teams have shown improvement through the first half of Big Sky Conference play. The programs usually stuck at the bottom of the league are now in the middle of the pack. The Griz won a thrilling five-set match over the Bobcats in Missoula last month, and they can’t wait for the atmosphere they’ll invade in Bozeman.
“It is so high energy that you can’t help be at an 11 out of 10, you know, amped out of your mind when you walk into that environment,” said Griz head coach Allison Lawrence about the showdowns at MSU. “I think it’s the most exciting game to play, and it’s 100 percent fun — stressful fun, but the right kind of fun from point one to the last point. So we know that they are going to bring that. We know that they are hungry after what happened (in Missoula).”
Montana (5-5) and Montana State (4-6) each hold good positions in the chase for a spot in the Big Sky tournament. UM hasn’t played in the postseason since 2014, and MSU last made the tournament in 2012.
The Cats reached match point in the first meeting, but the Griz came back to win. The rematch starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
