MISSOULA, Mont. – The Eastern Washington University volleyball team traveled to Missoula, Mont., to take on Montana on Thursday night (Oct. 3) for its first road Big Sky Conference match of the season. The Eagles were unable to come away with a victory, falling in straight-sets (22-25, 15-25, 11-25).
 
"Our passing and serving, two things we've been strong in, just wasn't there tonight. It showed on our side-out percentages and we got out-served," said head coach Leslie Flores-Cloud. "On Saturday, we have to show up to serve and we have to show up and pass. Serving and passing are so key in this game and we weren't doing either of those tonight. Montana had a great game, Janna Grimsrud and Amethyst Harper both had really nice games and they did good things."
 
The first set was competitive with Eastern Washington swinging .188 with 16 kills to Montana's .132 with nine kills. Montana had the early edge, leading 12-7 when a kill from Ka'ehukaiiha'amaina'e Keala sparked a 6-1 run to tie the match, 13-13. Keala would contribute two kills during the run, in addition to one from Hailee Etter and Ashlyn Blotzer.
 
After the surge, Montana responded with a 4-0 run of their own to pull back ahead. However, a kill from Nicoletta Capizzi and one from Catelyn Linke capped a 3-0 run to put Eastern within a point. From there, the Grizzlies kept their momentum and led 23-19 when Linke and Etter hammered down back-to-back kills to come back within two points, 23-21. Facing set point, Blotzer had a kill to keep the Eagles alive, but Eastern fell short and were edged in the first set, 25-22.
 
The Eagles started the match with a triple-block assist from Keala, Etter and Blotzer that was followed by another block assist from Keala and Nicoletta Capizzi. However, Montana jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Eastern Washington was unable to string any points together, and fell 25-15 to take a 2-0 deficit into set three.
 
Montana's momentum from the second set carried into the third. The Grizzlies closed the third frame on a 7-0 run to win 25-11 and took the match 3-0.  
 
WIN-LOSS RECORDS: With the loss, Eastern Washington falls to 2-13 on the season and 0-3 in Big Sky Conference play. Montana improves to 2-12 and 1-2 in the conference.
 
TOP PERFORMANCES: Ana Paula Zandona turned in her third double-double of the season, leading the team with 18 assists and adding 10 digs.
 
Puaoolelagi Sao led the team with 14 digs, followed by Catelyn Linke who had 13.
 
Ashlyn Blotzer led the way with six kills and Nicoletta Capizzi had five to go with two blocks.
 
MaKenna Davis had the lone service ace for the Eagles.
 
KEY STATISTICS: Eastern Washington had 30 kills to Montana's 29, but committed 22 errors to UM's 10.
 
Both teams were even with 45 digs apiece and Montana had nine service aces to Eastern's one. The Eagles were also edged in assists (25-24) and blocks (5-3).
 
UP NEXT: Eastern Washington travels to Bozeman, Mont., to take on Montana State on Saturday (Oct. 5). First serve is set for 6 p.m. Pacific time and can be watched for free on Pluto TV Channel 538.