The Montana Grizzly volleyball team has been ranked tied for third in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, highlighting their strong position following a successful 2025 season. Junior outside hitter Delaney Russell and senior setter Gracie Cagle received Preseason All-Conference honors for their outstanding performances last year. Head coach Allison Lawrence notes that these recognitions signify respect from peers while maintaining focus on team goals. Montana aims to build on its 17-11 record from 2025, which marked the program's best performance in years, and returns a solid core of players.

By the Numbers
  • Montana finished the 2025 season with a 17-11 overall record, tying for the most wins since 1999.
  • Delaney Russell had an average of 3.56 kills per set and ranked in the top five in the Big Sky in points and kills.
State of Play
  • Northern Colorado was named the preseason favorite with 88 points and four first-place votes.
  • Montana and Idaho State tied for third with 72 points each in the Coaches' Poll.
What's Next

Montana will kick off its season on August 28 against Central Michigan, with a public exhibition on August 24 against Carroll College providing fans an early glimpse of the team.

Bottom Line

While accolades are encouraging, Montana's focus remains on team performance and achieving their collective goals, underlined by the strong leadership of Russell and Cagle. Their drive for success encapsulates the shift in narrative for the Grizzly program.