Box Score Box Score
BOZEMAN, Mont. --- The Montana State Bobcats took the first two sets from the Portland Pilots and held on for a 3-1 win in the season-opening match for both teams at the Holiday Inn Classic at Shroyer Gym. The Bobcats won the first two sets by identical 25-22 margins before the Pilots took the third 25-23. MSU then closed out the match by taking the fourth set 25-19.
Portland opens the season at 0-1, while Montana State is 1-0.
Senior K.C. Fox, who missed most of last season with a broken hand, recorded a double-double for the Pilots, finishing with 11 kills and 10 digs. Senior Jennifer Sheedy had a match-high 15 kills, while senior Ashley Grayson totaled 14 kills and a .444 hitting percentage.
Juniors Maria Clemens and Kaylyn Jones split time at the setters’ spot, finishing with 21 and 27 assists, respectively. Clemens also had 10 digs.
The first set looked promising for UP as the Pilots opened up a four-point advantage. Up 9-6, a kill from Fox gave Portland its biggest lead at 10-6. But the Bobcats responded with a 9-4 spurt to take their first lead of the match at 15-14. Moments later, Sheedy connected on a kill to tie the set at 17-17. From there, MSU would score three straight points and close the set with an 8-5 run.
The second set began in a familiar fashion as the Pilots opened a 7-2 lead after a kill by Maria Clemens. With Portland still in command, Fox connected once again to make it 15-12. MSU would stick around, eventually taking a 19-18 lead. The Pilots fought back late, with Fox giving them the lead on a kill that made it 22-21. MSU would then score the set’s final four points to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
The third set remained close throughout, with the Pilots prevailing 25-23. Trailing 19-16 late in the set, the Pilots responded by taking four of six points to tie it at 21-21. MSU would take a 22-21 lead before UP freshman Allix Strahon connected on a kill that tied the set once again. Portland would end the set with a 3-1 run, capped by a kill from Grayson.
MSU began the final set by taking a 9-6 advantage. The lead would grow to five at 15-10 before Portland responded and climbed within two points at 17-15. But the Bobcats would pull away from there to seal the win.
Jodeen Rademacher led the way for Montana State and matched Sheedy with a match-high 19 kills. Nicole Grypiuk chipped in with 13 kills, while Kyla Hendry finished with 10. Taylor Faught handed out a match-high 40 assists.
MSU finished with 10 team blocks, while Portland countered with five. The Bobcats also had a .299 hitting percentage to UP’s .224.
The match marked the first at UP for first-year head coach Joe Houck.
Portland continues play at the Holiday Inn Classic with a match on Saturday against the ninth-ranked Washington Huskies. The Pilots and Huskies are set to go at 9:00 a.m. (PT). Portland then concludes play in Bozeman with another match against host school Montana State at 6:00 p.m. (PT) on Saturday night.
