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Lady Griz Volleyball Media Guides, 1979-2008 Intercollegiate Athletics
2000
Lady Griz Volleyball Media Guide, 2000 Lady Griz Volleyball Media Guide, 2000
University of Montana—Missoula. Athletics Department
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University of Montana—Missoula. Athletics Department, "Lady Griz Volleyball Media Guide, 2000" (2000).
Lady Griz Volleyball Media Guides, 1979-2008. 20.
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Front row, from left: Claire Thompson, Marci Kaiser, Lizzie Wertz, Tara Conner, Samantha Weber, Joy Pierce and Lindsay Kaiser.
Back row, from left: Natalie Jacksha, Teresa Stringer, Audra Pearce, Katy Kubista, Kodi Taylor, Erin Adams and Mary Forrest.
B The University of
Montana
The University of Montana has provided a high quality, well-rounded education to students and a wide range of services to Montanans since it was chartered in 1893. UM is the center of liberal arts education in Montana, balancing that core commitment with intensive programs of professional preparation all within a beautiful campus setting in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. With a student population of 12,000, the University is a major source of research, continuing education, economic development, fine arts and entertainment, as well as a driving force in strengthening Montana's ties with countries throughout the world.
UM's Missoula campus comprises the College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate School, Davidson Honors Col
lege, College of Technology and seven professional schools: business administration, education, fine arts, forestry, journalism, law and pharmacy and alhed health sciences. UM also includes three affiliate campuses.
Western Montana College of The University of Montana in Dillon, trains teachers and coaches; Butte's Mon
tana Tech of The University Montana focuses on engineering, mineral science and related fields; and Helena College of Technology of The University of Montana offers two-year programs in business, trades and industry, and technical and health occupations.
Montana Volleyball
Senior Erin Adams Senior Tara Conner Senior Kodi Taylor
2000 Volleyball 1
2000 Grizzly Schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME DATE OPPONENT TIME
September
23 Weber State* 7 p.m.1-2 Ikon UCONN Husky Classic 28 @Northem Arizona* 7 p.m.
1 St. Peter's 8 a.m. 30 @Cal State Northridge* 7 p.m.
Illinois State 12:30 p.m.
2 New Orleans 8 a.m. October
Connecticut 5:30p.m.
5 Portland State* 7 p.m.7 Eastern Washington* 7 p.m.
O Wichita State Tournament
12 Sacramento State* 7 p.m.8 Iowa State 8:30 a.m. 14 @Montana State* 7 p.m.
Butler 4 p.m. 19 @Weber State* 7 p.m.
9 Wichita State 11 a.m. 20 @Idaho State* 7 p.m.
Louisiana Tech 4 p.m.
26 Cal State Northridge* 7 p.m.28 Northern Arizona* 7 p.m.
12 Idaho 7 p.m.
15-16 Snikeoff SnokaneTotimev November
15 Gonzaga 8pm @ Sacramento State* 8p.m.
16 Cal Poly 11a.m. 4
Montana State*7
p.m.16 Texas-Pan American 5:30p.m. ©Portland State* 8 p.m.
11 ©Eastern Washington* 8 p.m.
19 Gonzaga 7 p.m.
1648 Big Sky Championships TBA
22 Idaho State* 7:30 p.m.
*-Big Sky Conference game
General Information
2000 Schedule 1
Table of Contents 2
Quick Facts/Athletic Department Directory 3
UM Administration 16-19
Big Sky Conference 44
The 2000 Griz
Outlook 4
Radio/TV Roster 5
Team Photo/Roster 6
Biographies 7-13
The Coaching Staff
Head Coach Nikki Best 14
Assistant Coaches 15
Dave Best, Stacie Maser and Katie Almquist
Why Montana?
Academic Success 19
Athletic Performance Center 20
Athletic Training Center/Academic Center 21
What Are They Doing Now? 31
Home Arena 34
Record Book
Team and Individual Records 24-29
Honors 30
Series Records 32
Year-by-Year Results 40-43
Opponents
Opponent Information 35-39
Montana Travel 39
Credits
Writing/Editing/Design: Matt Schmidt Photography: Todd Goodrich
Front Cover: 2000 Volleyball Team (Todd Goodrich) Inside Front Cover: 2000 Griz (Todd Goodrich) Wildlife Photography: Bruce H. Morrison Printing: UM Printing & Graphics
Cover Design by Neal Weigert
NOTE: The 2000 team does not wish to be called the Lady Griz this season. Please refer to the team as Montana or the [Grizzlies. Thank you.
Ravalli Republic
Jenny Johnson, Sports Editor 232 W. Main Street
Hamilton, MT 59840-3300 Phone: (406) 363-3300 Fax: ((406) 363-1767 Daily Interlake
Dave Lesnick, Sports Editor PO Box 7610
Kalispell, MT 59904 Phone: (406) 755-7000 Fax: (406) 752-6114
2 Montana
Media
Newspapers Wire Service
Missoulian Associated Press
Bob Meseroll, Sports Editor Amy Hansen, Sports Editor
P.O. Box 8029 P.O. Box 5810
Missoula, MT 59807-8029 Helena, MT 59604-5810 Phone: (406) 523-5265 Phone: (406) 442-7440 Fax: (406) 523-5294 Fax: (406) 442-5162
Montana Kaimin
Television
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812 KECI-TV (NBC)
Phone: (406) 243-4020 Todd Reed, Sports Director
Fax: (406) 243-5475 P.O. Box 5268
Missoula, MT 59806 Great Falls Tribune Phone: (406) 721-5642 George Geise, Sports Editor Fax: (406) 721-6791 P.O. Box 5468
Great Falls, MT 59403 KPAX-TV (CBS)
Phone: (406) 761-6666 Greyson Davis, Sports Director
Fax: (406) 791-1431 P.O. Box 4827
Missoula, MT 59806
Independent Record Phone: (406) 542-4455
Sandra Kelly, Sports Editor Fax: (406) 543-7127 P.O. Box 4249
Helena, MT 59601
Radio
Phone: (406) 447-4000
Fax: (406) 447-4052 KYLT-AM & Z100-FM
Allen Kessler, Sports Director
Billings Gazette P O Box 2277
Warren Rogers, Sports Editor Missoula, MT 59806-2277
P.O. Box 36300 Phone: (406) 728-5000
Billings, MT 59107-3630 Fax: (406) 549.0503 Phone: (406) 657-1200
Fax: (406) 657-1208 Marathon Media
KGVO-AM, KLCY-AM,
Montana Standard KYSS-FM
Bruce Saylor, Sports Editor p q gox 7279
P.O. Box 627 Missoula, MT 59807
Butte, MT 59701 phone: (406) 728-9300
Phone: (406) 496-5500 Fax. (406) 542-2329 Fax: (406) 496-5551
School: The University of Montana City, ZIP: Missoula, MT 59812 Founded: February 17, 1893 Enrollment: 12,208
Nickname: Grizzlies
School Colors: Copper, Silver & Gold Facility: West Auxiliary Gym
Capacity: 1,218
Affiliation: NCAA Division I Conference: Big Sky Conference President: Dr. George M. Dennison Alma Mater: Montana, 1962 Athletic Director: Wayne Hogan Alma Mater: Florida State, 1979
Athletic Department Phone: (406) 243-5331
Ticket Office Phone: 1-888-MONTANA or 406-243-4051
Volleyball Facts
First Season: 1976
All-Time Record: 421-370 (since 1976) 1999 Record: 18-9 (.667)
1999 Conference Record/Finish: 9-7/Fifth Years in NCAA Championsip: 1990, 1991, 1994 Last NCAA Opponent/Result:
Long Beach State, Lost 3-0, 2nd Round Big Sky Tournament History: 16 times, last 2000 Result: Lost 3-1, Quarterfinals
Starters Returning:
Erin Adams
(6-0, OH, Sr., 3.14 kpg, .238%, 3.13 dpg, 0.82 bpg) Tara Conner
(5-9, S, Sr., 12.38 apg, 0.63 kpg, .210%, 3.16 dpg, 0.43 bpg) Kodi Taylor
(5-11, MH, Sr., 3.61 kpg, .240%, 2.64 dpg, 1.26 bpg) Joy Pierce (front-court rotation for starter)
(5-11, MH, Hr., 1.95 kpg, .189%, 1.13 dpg, 1.09 bpg) Starters Lost:
Katie Almquist
(5-9, OH, Sr., 3.32 kpg, .196%, 3.68 dpg, 0.56 bpg) Sarah Parsons
(5-11, OH, Sr., 3.36 kpg, .123%, 3.50 dpg, 0.43 bpg) Suzanne Krings
(5-10, OH, Sr., 0.35 kpg, -.063%, 2.74 dpg, 0.09 bpg) Top Newcomers:
Claire Thompson, Natalie Jacksha
Sports Information
A.D. for Media Relations: Dave Guffey SID (Volleyball Contact): Matt Schmidt
Office Phone: (406) 243-5414 Home Phone: (406) 240-2806
E-Mail: schmidt@montanagrizzlies.com SID Administrative Assistant: Renee Valley
Office Phone: (406) 243-6899 FAX: (406) 243-6859
UM Web Address: www.montanagrizzlies.com Press Row Phone: 406-240-2806
SID Mailing Address: Sports Information, Adams Center The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812
2000 Volleyball 3
Name Position Phone
Wayne Hogan Athletic Director 243-5348
Jim Lopach Faculty Rep/NCAA 243-4829
Chuck Maes Associate AD/Business & Operations 243-2213 Marie Porter Associate Athletic Director/SWA 243-5331 Sylvia Weisenburger Int. Associate AD/Fiscal Operations 243-6326 James Bandy Assistant Athletic Director/Compliance 243-6926 Dave Guffey Assistant Athletic Director/Media Relations 243-5402 Bill Schwanke Assistant Athletic Director/Development 243-5405 Al Kempfert Assistant to the Athletic Director 243-5363 Linda Cardinal Administrative Assistant/Football 243-2968 Patty Dwight Administrative Assistant/Business Affairs 243-5404 Kathy Englund Administrative Assistant/Athletic Director 243-5331 Colleen Marks Administrative Assistant/Basketball 243-5334 Renee Valley Administrative Assistant/Sports Information 243-6899 Jean Cornwall Coord, of Athletic Academic Services 243-4420 Lawrence King Athletics Food & Beverage Manager 243-4279
Steve Hackney Equipment Manager 243-4351
Robert Stack Assistant Equipment Manager 243-4351 Christie Clark Marketing & Promotions Director 243-4336 Matt Schmidt Assistant Sports Information Director 243-5414
Rhinehart Athletic Treatment Center
Dennis Murphy Head Athletic Trainer 243-6362
Jennifer Mason Assistant Athletic Trainer 243-6362 J.C. Weida Assistant Athletic Trainer 243-6362
Grizzly Athletic Association
Bill Schwanke Director 243-5405
Jim O'Day Assistant Director 243-4509
Penny Brainard Administrative Assistant 243-6485
Tina Danielson Clerk 243-6481
Athletic Performance Center
Chris Weiseman Director 243-4496
Lacey Degnan Assistant 243-4085
Ticket Office
Stacy Harris Manager 243-4051
Lynnette Kelly Assistant Manager 243-4051
Volleyball Coaches
Nikki Best Head Coach 243-5411
Dave Best Assistant Coach 243-5422
Stacie Maser Assistant Coach 243-4397
Other Coaches
Joe Glenn Head Football Coach 243-2969
Ron Richards Assistant Football Coach 243-5393 Bill Cockhill Assistant Football Coach 243-5392
Chad Germer Assistant Football Coach 243-6101
Harvey Patton Assistant Football Coach 243-2969 Ron Wisniewski Assistant Football Coach 243-5397
Mike Breske Assistant Football Coach 243-5390
Dave Doeren Assistant Football Coach 243-5368
Tom Hauck Assistant Football Coach 243-5368
Chris Knutson Assistant Football Coach 243-5391 Lance Robinson Assistant Football Coach 243-2629 Don Holst Head Men’s Basketball Coach 243-2157 Jim Sampson Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach 243-5366 Todd Schmautz Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach 243-5399 Robin Selvig Head Women’s Basketball Coach 243-5412 Trish Duce Assistant Women’s Basketbail Coach 243-5779 Annette Rocheleau Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach 243-5941 Shannon Schweyen Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach 243-5338
Joanne Steele Head Golf Coach 243-4377
Betsy Duerksen Head Soccer Coach 243-2760
Erik Oman Assistant Soccer Coach 243-4378
Kris Nord Head Tennis Coach 243-5410
Brian Hanford Assistant Tennis Coach 243-4376
Tom Raunig Head Track/Cross Country Coach 243-5413
Harry Clark Assistant Track Coach 243-4657
Brian Schweyen Assistant Track Coach 243-5423
2000 Season Outlook
Senior Erin Adamswasanall-conference SELECTION LAST SEASON.
The University of Montana volleyball team starts the 21st century with a number of new looks but hopes to keep one tradition from the 20th century - numerous visits to the Big Sky Conference Championships.
Montana enters the 2000 season with a new head coach in Nikki Best, who takes over after spending the past four seasons at the University of Nebraska. She has her sights on returning Montana to the elite of the Big Sky Conference and to the NCAA Tournament. Serving as assistants this season will be Dave Best and Stacie Maser. Former Griz standout Katie Almquist joins the coaching staff after completing her eligibility last season.
The coaching change has given the Grizzlies a new outlook on the season.
UM has had a strong tradition in volleyball (16 appearances in the Big Sky tournament and three NCAA berths) and this season could shape up to be another stellar campaign.
For starters, Montana returns three seniors who could go down among the school’s all-time best.
•Erin Adams
(Milwaukie, Ore.)
returns at outside hitter after being a second-team all
conference pick last season. She was one of one three players last season to record 300+ kills and digs.
•Kodi Taylor
(Bridger) was a Big Sky honorable men
tion pick last year after leading UM in kills and blocks at middle blocker. Her versatility and hitting ability could allow her to be used in various frontline positions.
•Setter
Tara Conner(West Linn, Ore.) is back to run the squad after posting one of the school’s top seasons last year. She was named most valuable player at two tourna
ments as UM opened the 1999 campaign by winning tournaments at Wisconsin-Green Bay, Boise State and the Montana Invitational.
“We have a senior setter, a senior middle blocker and a senior outside hitter. To me, that’s great balance,” said Best. “They are great leaders and physically exceptional players. Tara allows the other two to be versatile because of her strengths as a setter. Erin and Kodi can hit any ball set to them at any tempo. Their experience, their leadership and their physical talent are what makes them stand out.
They’ve seen success and failure and are motivated to end on a positive note.”
But foes will have to worry about more than the presence of those three.
Junior
Joy Pierce(Fort Collins, Colo.), who started various times last season, raised her game in the Big Sky Championships. She recorded 12 kills while hitting .500.
Pierce also had a career-best 106 blocks last season.
Lindsay Kaiser(Jr., Stockton, Calif.) will continue to see playing time. Kaiser recorded 10- or-more digs and kills against Idaho State last season after leading UM in service aces in 1998.
Sophomore
Teresa Stringer(Phoe
nix, Ariz.) returns at middle blocker.
An intense player, Stringer is a threat offensively as well as defensively.
Sophomore
Katy Kubista(Tacoma, Wash.) saw limited action last season but her reach and leaping ability will grant her playing time.
A pair of redshirt freshmen,
Audra Pearce(Walla Walla, Wash.) and
Mary Forrest
(Boring, Ore.) showed improvement during spring practices.
Natalie Jacksha
(Gresham, Ore.) joins the team after spending two
seasons at Southwest Missouri State.
Claire Thompson
(San Clemente, Calif.),
Marci Kaiser(Stockton, Calif.),
Samantha Weber(Anchorage, Alaska) and
Lizzie Wertz(Oakland, Calif.) could figure into the playing rotation as incoming freshman.
Best and the rest of the coaching staff started to instill a new attitude and saw it pay results during spring practices.
She hopes that thought pattern will carry over this fall.
“I challenged the team this spring into coming out solid for the first five to 10 points and take control of the match,” she said. “I wanted the players to come out and control the tempo. It can be as simple as serving tough. If you come out serving bullets, some teams back off right away.
“Personally, I’m more comfortable coming out strong from the get-go. We’re encouraging that by making them play shorter games,” continued Best. “If we come out and play hard at the beginning, we have a better chance of controlling the match. If we wait until the end, we might or might not have a chance to do that. I don’t want to wait and find out.”
But most of all, Best is looking forward to her first season at the helm of Montana volleyball.
“I’m looking forward to putting the puzzle together of the season - how we use our strengths to attack the other teams’ weaknesses and take advantage of tendencies,” she said. “It should be a great year.”
4 Montana
RadioTV Roster
Claire Thompson
Fr., Setter San Clemente, Calif.
Marci Kaiser
Fr., Defensive Specialist Stockton, Calif.
Audra Pearce
Fr., Outside Hitter Walla Walla, Wash.
Lizzie Wertz
Fr., Outside Hitter Oakland, Calif.
Lindsay Kaiser
Jr., Outside Hitter Stockton, Calif.
Erin Adams
Sr., Outside Hitter Milwaukie, Ore.
Samantha Weber
Fr., Middle Blocker Anchorage, Alaska
Mary Forrest
Fr., Middle Blocker Boring, Ore.
Tara Conner
Sr., Setter West Linn, Ore.
Natalie Jacksha
Jr., Outside Hitter Gresham, Ore.
Teresa Stringer
So., Middle Blocker Phoenix, Ariz.
Katy Kubista
So., Outside Hitter Tacoma, Wash.
Joy Pierce
Jr., Middle Blocker Fort Collins, Colo.
Kodi Taylor
Sr., Middle Blocker Bridger, Mont.
Nikki Best
Head Coach
Head Coach ... Nikki Best (First Year) \ (Nebraska, 1994) Assistant Coach... Dave Best (First Year) \ (Nebraska, 1994) Assistant Coach... Stacie Maser (First Year) \ (Nebraska, 1999)
2000 Volleyball 5
No. Name... Pos ... Ht... Yr ...Exp... Hometown/Previous School 1 Claire Thompson .... S...5-9...Fr...HS... San Clemente, CA/San Clemente HS 2 Marci Kaiser... DS...5-8...Fr...HS... Stockton, CA/Tokay HS 3 Audra Pearce...OH...6-0...Fr...RS... Walla Walla, WA/Walla Walla HS 4 Lizzie Wertz...OH...5-11 ...Fr... HS... Oakland, CA/Piedmont HS 5 Lindsay Kaiser... OH... 6-0... Jr...2V... Stockton, CA/Tokay HS 6 Erin Adams... OH... 5-11 ...Sr...1V/RS/2V...Milwaukie, OR/Rex Putnam HS 7 Samantha Weber...MB ... 6-1...Fr...HS... Anchorage, AK/Service HS 9 Mary Forrest... MB...6-0... Fr...RS... Boring, OR/Centennial HS 10 Tara Conner... S ... 5-9...Sr... 3V...West Linn, OR/West Linn HS 11 Natalie Jacksha...OH...6-0... Jr...2V...Gresham, OR/Sam Barlow HS 12 Teresa Stringer...MB ... 5-11 ... So...RS/1V... Phoenix, AZ/Barry Goldwater HS 13 Katy Kubista... OH... 6-0...So... RS/1 V... Tacoma, WA/Woodrow Wilson HS 14 Joy Pierce... MB... 6-0... Jr...2V...Fort Collins, CO/Fort Collins HS 15 Kodi Taylor... MB...5-11 ... Sr... 3V... Bridger, MT/Bridger HS
2000 Grizzly Team Photo/Roster
Front row, from left: Claire Thompson, Teresa Stringer, Samantha Weber, Lindsay Kaiser, Katy Kubista, Joy Pierce, Marci Kaiser and Lizzie Wertz. Back row, from left, assistant coach Dave Best, Mary Forrest, Natalie Jacksha, Audra Pearce, Tara Conner, Kodi Taylor, Erin Adams, assistant coach Stacie Maser and head coach Nikki Best.
Alphabetical Roster
Name...Pos ... Ht... Yr ... EJtp ...
Adams, Erin... OH...5-11 .... Sr...1V/RSZ2V Conner, Tara ... S ... 5-9...Sr...3V...
Forrest, Mary... MB ... 6-0...Fr...RS...
Jacksha, Natalie... OH... 6-0...Jr... 2V...
Kaiser, Lindsay...OH... 6-0... Jr...2V...
Kaiser, Marci... DS...5-8 ... Fr...HS...
Kubista, Katy ... OH...6-0 ... So... RS/1V...
Pearce, Audra... OH...6-0...Fr... RS...
Pierce, Joy ... MB...6-0... Jr...2V...
Stringer, Teresa...MB... 5-11 .... So...RS/1V...
Taylor, Kodi... MB ... 5-11 .... Sr...3V...
Thompson, Claire .... S... 5-9... Fr...HS ...
Weber, Samantha.... MB...6-1... Fr... HS...
Wertz,Lizzie ... OH... 5-11 .... Fr...HS ...
Head Coach...
Assistant Coach Assistant Coach
... Hometown/Previous School ...Milwaukie, OR/Rex Putnam HS ...West Linn, OR/West Linn HS ...Boring, OR/Centennial HS ... Gresham,OR/SamBarlowHS ...Stockton, CA/Tokay HS ...Stockton, CA/Tokay HS Tacoma, WA/Woodrow Wilson HS .. Walla Walla, WA/Walla Walla HS ...Fort Collins, CO/Fort Collins HS .... Phoenix, AZ/Barry GoldwaterHS ... Bridger,MT/BridgerHS San Clemente, CA/San Clemente HS ... Anchorage, AK/Service HS ... Oakland, CA/Piedmont HS
.... Nikki Best (First Year) \ (Nebraska, 1994) ... Dave Best (First Year) \ (Nebraska, 1994) Stacie Maser (First Year) \ (Nebraska, 1999)
Seniors (3):
Juniors (3):
Sophomores (2):
Roster by Year
Adams, Erin Freshmen (6):
Conner, Tara Taylor, Kodi Jacksha, Natalie Kaiser, Lindsay Pierce, Joy Kubista, Katy Stringer, Teresa
Forrest, Mary Kaiser, Marci Pearce, Audra Thompson, Claire Weber, Samantha Wertz, Lizzie
Alaska (1): Weber, Samantha Arizona (1): Stringer, Teresa California (4):
Kaiser, Lindsay Kaiser, Marci Thompson, Claire Wertz, Lizzie Pierce, Joy Colorado (1):
Roster by State
Montana (1):
Oregon (4):
Taylor, Kodi Adams, Erin Conner, Tara Forrest, Mary Jacksha, Natalie Washington (2):
Kubista, Katy Pearce, Audra
Montana
6
Comes to Montana after playing for one of California’s top club teams ... Serves as a backup to Tara Conner... Will run the second squad in practice sessions.
High School: Named first-team all-conference as a senior at San Clemente High... Led team to conference title in 1999... San Clemente finished among CIF top eight in 1998 and 1999...
Team captain ... Named team’s most inspirational and most improved ... Recorded 800 assists, 43 aces to go with 81 digs and 14 solo blocks as a senior ... Also played for the
Saddleback Valley club team.
Personal: Daughter of Steve and Kathy Thompson... Bom on May 17,1982... Planning to major in physical therapy.
Athlete: Misty May Place to eat:
Billy's Sandwiches Movie: Coyote Ugly Actor: Paul Walker
Actress: Gwynneth Paltrow Music:
Anything but classical TV Show:
Saturday Night Live Role Model: Mom Food: Salads, bagels
2 Marci Kaiser
5-8 Freshman • Defensive Spec. • Stockton, California
Joins Griz program as a defensive specialist... Could also see action at setter ... Has great quickness and alertness ... Will make an impact in future.
High School: Team co-captain three seasons at Tokay High ... Named team's most valuable player and best defensive player... Lettered in volleyball and softball.
Personal: Daughter of Glen and Sharen Kaiser... Bom on April 23,1982... Sister, Lindsay, is a junior on the Montana volleyball squad ... Father played baseball for the University of the Pacific... Planning on majoring in psychology.
Favorites
Place to eat: El Rosal Movie: Coyote Ugly Actor: Brad Pitt Music: Everything TV Show:
Beverly Hills 90210 Role Model: Parents Food: Mexican Musical Performer:
Justin Timberlake of NSYNC
2000 Volleyball 7
1 Claire Thompson
5-9 Freshman • Setter • San Clemente, California
Impressed coaching staff with work ethic and all-around abilities ... Consistent passer and hitter... Can play either left
side hitter or middle blocker... The 1998 Montana Volleyball Camp’s most valuable player... Will push for playing time.
1999: Sat out season as a redshirt.
High School: Led Walla Walla High School to the 1997 and 1998 Big 9 Athletic Conference titles... A two-time all-confer
ence selection, earning honorable mention honors as a junior and first-team honors as a senior ... Represented the east side of the state at the 1998 Washington All-Star game ... Earned team MVP honors as a member of the Power Division Championship club team ... Also played in both the Nike and KAEPA Volleyball Festivals in California... A four-time Scholar Athlete at Walla Walla with a 3.6 grade-point average... A three-year member of the National Honor Society.
Personal: Daughter of Parley and Deanna Pearce ... Bom on January 29,1981... In pre-elementary education program.
Favorites
Movie: Coyote Ugly Actor:
Matthew McConnaughey Music: All
TV Show: Friends Role Models: Parents Food: Cheesecake Book: Anything by
John Grisham
If I had a million dollars, I would:
Buy as much water as possible to stop the fires.
One of more athletic players on the team... Great vision ...
Extremely competitive... Continues family tradition of attending Montana ... Father, grandfather, grandmother, an uncle and a cousin have attended the University.
High School: A 2000 graduate of Piedmont High ... A three- year all-Alameda Contra-Costa County performer... Named league most valuable player in 1999 ... Team captain as junior and senior... Three-year letterwinner... Posted single-match highs of 48 kills and 32 digs
Personal: Daughter of Janna Wertz and Tony Wertz ... Bom on May 1,1982 ... Interesting in majoring in business.
Favorites
Place to Eat:
La Cantina (Oakland) Movie: Top Gun Actor: Clint Eastwood Actress: Drew Barrymore Music: Rap, Hip-Hop Musical Group: The Eagles TV Show:
Malcolm in the Middle Food: Watermelon Book: The Green Mile
8 Montana
4 Lizzie Wertz
5-11 Freshman • Outside Hitter • Oakland, California
3 Audra Pearce
6-0 Freshman • Outside Hitter • Walla Walla, Washington
One of the more consistent players ... Considered one of the squad’s top passers and servers ... Worked on blocking abilities during spring session ... Chosen as one of most improved players following spring drills.
1999: Appeared in 30 games ... Recorded a season-best 11 kills and 10 digs despite appearing in only three games against Idaho State (9/24)... Finished season with 25 kills.
1998: Named the team's Outstanding Rookie after averaging nearly two kills per game ... Ranked third on the team in hitting percentage (.212)... Led UM in service aces (24) and was fourth on the team in digs (2.1 dpg).
High School: Led Tokay High School to a 12-8 record as a senior... Named team MVP... A first-team all-conference and all
area selection ... Led conference in kills, recording 402 in 20 matches ... Also contributed 55 blocks (2.8 bpg)... Played club
Favorites
Athlete: Mark McGwire Place to eat: Chili's Movie: Pretty Woman Actress: Sandra Bullock Music: Everything Musical performer:
Garth Brooks TV Show: Jack and Jill Role Models: Parents Food: Spaghetti, ice cream Hobbies:
All outdoor sports ball for Club Stockton... Team
placed 16th at the KAEPA Festival in 1997 and finished third among 257 teams in Northern California in 1998... Also a standout prep softball player, earned all-league and all-area honors ... Hit .515 to lead team and rank third in the league... Named
the U.S. Marine’s Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year for Tokay High School.
Personal: Daughter of Glen and Sharen Kaiser... Has one sister, Marci, who joins the UM team this season ... Born Feb. 10,
1980... Father played baseball for the University of the Pacific...
Majoring in elementary education.
6-0 Senior
Erin Adams
• Outside Hitter • Milwaukie, Oregon
A returning all-conference player... A threat on offense and defense ... One of team’s top all-around players.
1999: Earned second-team all-conference honors ... Named team's co-most valuable player... Named conference player of the week on Oct. 18... Combined for 29 kills (.348 hitting percentage) and 37 digs against Sacramento State (10/14) and Montana State (10/16) to earn those honors ... Averaged 3.14 kills and 3.13 digs per game... One of three players to record over 300 kills and 300 digs in the season ... Recorded 15 matches with 10-or-more kills and 10-or-more digs... Had 22 kills in win over Eastern Washington (11/13)... Named to all
tournament teams at the Wisconsin-Green Bay AmeriHost Classic and at Boise State.
1998: Ranked second on the team in digs (2.9 dpg)... Was fourth on the team in kills (2.2 kpg)... Appeared in all 27 matches ... Named team’s outstanding backcourt player.
1997: Sat out season as a redshirt following back surgery.
Favorites
Athlete: Kodi Taylor Movie: Sixteen Candles Musical Performer:
James Taylor
TV Show: Dawson’s Creek Role Models: Parents Food: Thai
Book: The Color of Water Hobbies: Reading, movies 1996: Made immediate impact,
starting all 26 matches ... Led Montana in kills (3.0 kpg) and ranked second on the team in digs (3.2 dpg).
High School: A four-time all
conference and two-time all-state player at Rex Putnam High
School... As a senior, led the Kingsmen to a second-place finish in the Three Rivers League... Named team MVP in 1994 and 1995 ... Also chosen team’s best blocker, best hitter and best passer awards in 1993, 1994, and 1995 ...Also earned two letters in tennis... Member of the Portland Volleyball Club team, which finished third at the Davis Festival in 1995 ... Named that team’s most improved player.
Personal: Daughter of Jim and Jan Adams ... Bom on August 10,1978... Majoring in elementary education.
2000 Volleyball 9
5 Lindsay Kaiser
6-0 Junior • Outside Hitter • Stockton, California
Season GP-MP K K/G E TA Pct A Aces SE DIG D/G BS BA TB B/G
1998 81-24 159 1.96 69 424 .212 26 24 28 174 2.15 1 48 49 0 60
1999 30-18 25 0.83 11 79 .177 2 1 5 20 0.67 0 5 5 0 17
TOTAL__________111-42 1 84 1.66 8 0 503 .207 2 8 25 33 194 1.75 1 53 5 4 0 49
Season GP-MP K K/G E TA Pct A Aces SE DIG D/G BS BA TB B/G
1996 94-26 282 3.00 157 806 .155 5 12 19 298 3.17 9 30 39 0 41
!q99 ,07 97 293 199 6 24 24 269 2 92 5 30 33 0-38
1999 107-27 336 3.14 112 940 .238 65 23 22 335 3.13 4 84 88 0 82
TOTAL_____293'80 820 2-80 373 2239 .200 76 59 65 902 3.08 18 144 164 0J5
7 Samantha Weber
6-1 Freshman • Middle Blocker • Anchorage, Alaska
Tallest player on roster... A physical presence in the middle ...
Potential to be a top player.
High School: Named all-region and honorable mention all
state as a senior at Service High ... Service posted a 23-1 record and won state title in 1999 ... Averaged four kills per game and four blocks per match... A three-time all-conference performer in volleyball... Team’s most valuable player as junior and named best blocker as senior ... Won four letters in volleyball and three in basketball... Team captain twice in volleyball and once in basketball.
Personal: Daughter of Gary and Debra Weber... Bom on June 16,1982... Planning to major in biology.
Favorites
Place to Eat:
Simon & Seafords Movie: Good Will Hunting Actor: Matt Damon Actress: Julia Roberts Music: Rock-n-Roll,
Country, R&B
TV Show: Dharma & Greg Role Model: My best
friend Namita
Food: Mashed Potatoes Hobbies: Fly fishing,
hiking, reading, shopping
9 Mary Forrest
6-0 Freshman • Middle Blocker • Boring, Oregon
A very coachable and hard-working player... Will make an impact on the squad in the future ... Needs to work on finer points of game, including net play.
1999: Sat out season as a redshirt.
High School: Led Centennial High to a fourth-place finish at the 1997 Oregon State AAA A tournament and a seventh-place finish at state in 1996 ... Voted team’s most inspirational player for three consecutive years - 1996,1997,1998... Named the Eagles’ most valuable player as a senior... A two-time all
conference selection, earning honorable mention honors in 1997 and first-team honors in 1998 ... Played for the Nike Northwest Junior club team and led squad to a third-place finish and a ninth-place finish at the Davis Volleyball Festival... Also excelled in the classroom, recording a 3.98 grade-point average.
Personal: Daughter of Bob and Sheila Forrest... Has two brothers, Ryan and Taylor... Bom on April 2,1981... Hails from the same hometown as former UM standout setter Linde
Favorites
Place to Eat: Applebee’s Movie:
Night at the Roxbury Actress: Sandra Bullock
Meg Ryan TV Show: Friends Role Model:
Grandma Forrest Food: Ice Cream
Book: She’s Come Undone If I had a million dollars, I would: Travel a ton and get
a fully-loaded kitchen
Eidenberg (1991 -94), Montana’s MVP in both 1992 and 1994...
Majoring in business administration.
10 Montana
10 Tara Conner
5-9 Senior • Setter • West Linn, Oregon
Veteran setter who could finish career among school’s best ...
Ranks second all-time in school history with 3,031 assists ... A leader ... Standout defensive player.
1999: Earned Big Sky Conference Player of the Week honors on Sept. 20 ... Named MVP of the Montana Invitational and the Wisconsin-Green Bay AmeriHost Classic... Had 14 games with 50-or-more assists, including a streak of 10 straight... One of four players to record 300-or-more digs.
1998: Played in 101 of Montana’s 102 games, averaging 9.3 assists for the second consecutive year ... Added 2.1 digs per game ... Shared UM’s Outstanding Backcourt Player award.
1997: Impact player as a true freshman, sharing setting duties ... She played in 25 matches, averaging 9.3 assists and 2.2 digs per game ... Recorded a season-high 69 assists against Weber State (11/13)... Shared team’s Outstanding Rookie award.
High School: Led West Linn High to two Three Rivers League titles and a third-place (1994) and a fifth-place (1995) finish at the
Athlete: Sister, Niki Place to Eat:
Ring Side (Portland) Actor: Nicolas Cage Music: Country, Hip-hop,
Alternative Musical Performer:
Tim McGraw TV Show: Friends Role Models: Parents Food: Thai
Hobbies: Snowboarding State A AAA meets ... Earned all
league and all state honors as a junior and a senior... Teamed
with Erin Adams on the Portland Volleyball Club team... One team, the PVC U-18 Black team, placed second in the Columbia Empire Volleyball Association (CEVBA) and placed second at regionals.
Personal: Daughter of Art and Karen Conner ... Born on March 24, 1979 ... A sister, Niki, was an outside hitter for Utah State ... Majoring in business administration.
11 Natalie Jacksha
6-0 Junior • Outside Hitter • Gresham, Oregon
A transfer from Southwest Missouri State ... Ended spring drills as starting left-side hitter... Knows how to use the block on the attack ... Can hit with power... A “gamer.”
Before UM: Appeared in 30 matches at Southwest Missouri State as a freshman with 15 starts ... Recorded 104 kills as a freshman ... Led team in digs in four different games ...Asa sophomore, had season-best nine kills against Texas-Pan American (11/13/98) to go with 18 digs.
High School: A four-year letterwinner and two-year starter at Sam Barlow High in Gresham... Helped lead team to back-to- back State AAAA titles (1995 and 1996)... A first-team all
conference and third-team all-state pick as a senior... Second on team in kills and blocks... Played with the Nike Northwest club team which finished four times in the top 10 at the Davis (Calif.)
Festival... Two-year letterwinner in basketball... National Honor Society member.
Personal: Daughter of Jerry and Suzanne Jacksha... Bom on March 17,1980... Brother, Brook, played baseball at University of Portland ... Majoring in biology.
Favorites
Athletes: Holly McPeak Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson
Movie: Legends of the Fall Actor: Brad Pitt
Music: Southern Rock Musical Performers:
Live, Tom Petty, CCR TV Show: Friends, Frasier Role Model: Brother, Brook Food: Chinese
Book: The Firm
Hobbies: Outdoor activities
2000 Volleyball
11Season GP-MPK K/GE TAPct A Aces SEDIG D/GBSBA TB B/G
1997 82-25 19 0.23 15 126 .032 764 8 10 180 2.20 2 21 23 0 ’8
1998 101-27 22 0.22 14 94 .085 942 14 21 212 2.10 0 23 23 0 23
1999 107-27 67 0.63 24 205 .210 1325 22 27 338 3.16 1 45 46 0 43
TOTAL 290-79 108 0.37 53 425 .129 3031 44 58 730 2.52 3 89 92 0 32
Season GP-MP K K/G E TA Pct A Aces SE DIG D/G BS BA TB B/G
1998 105-30 104 0.99 74 364 .082 46 27 32 230 2.19 2 34 36 0.34
1999 103-33 17 0.17 14 91 .033 2 17 15 138 1.34 0 3 3 o'o3
TOTAL 208-63 121 0.58 88 455 .073 48 44 47 368 1.77 2 37 39 0.19
12 Teresa Stringer
5-11 Sophomore • Middle Hitter • Phoenix, Arizona
A powerful player in the middle... Showed glimpses of abilities in several matches as a freshman ... Finished spring drills as a starting middle blocker... A dominant force at the net... Has ability to put away shots and get hands up on the block.
1999: Appeared in 19 matches ... Record two matches with 10- more kills and had two others with eight-or-more... Recording 10 kills in 11 attacks (.909 hitting percentage) against Portland State (10/7)... Had two matches with six total blocks.
1998: Sat out season as a redshirt.
High School: A multi-sport standout at Barry Goldwater High School... The 1997 Northwest Region volleyball MVP... Also was voted team MVP and first-team all-Northwest Region ... Her junior team won the 1996 Arrowhead Region Championship and she earned Most Improved honors ... A three-year starter in basketball and set several school records, including steals in a
Favorites
Athletes: Tiger Woods Place to Eat:
Peter Piper Pizza (AZ) Movie: Forrest Gump Actor: Tom Hanks Music: Rap, Country Musical Performer:
Garth Brooks TV Show:
Home Improvement Role Model: Mom Food: Pizza single game (10) and blocks in a
season (44), on way to first-team all-conference honors... Com
peted in the state track meet in the long jump, triple jump, hurdles and shot put as a senior ... Holds school record in the hurdles and heptathlon ... Named team MVP as a junior.
Personal: Daughter of Jerry and Mary Lynn Stringer... Bom June 1, 1980... Has two brothers, Jeremy and Michael... Major
ing in health and human performance.
Season 1999 TOTAL
GP-MP 37-19 37-19
K 44 44
K/G 1.19 1.19
E 23 23
TA 102 102
Pct .206 .206
A Aces 1 0 1 0
SE 1 1
DIG 6 6
D/G 0.16 0.16
BS 5 5
BA 20 20
TB 25 25
B/G 0.68 0.68
GP-MP 6-6 6-6 Season
1999 TOTAL
13 Katy Kubista
6-0 Sophomore • Outside Hitter • Tacoma, Washington
Recipient of 1999-2000 President’s Award as outstanding female student-athlete ... Coming off of a solid spring practice performance ... Capable of playing both right and left sides ...
One of team’s best blockers... Quick jumper.
1999: Recorded in kill in lone attack in season finale against Eastern Washington (11/13)... Appeared in six matches ... Had first collegiate kill against Portland (9/18).
1998: Sat out season as a redshirt.
High School: A two-time Narrows all-league selection at Woodrow Wilson High ... Only second student-athlete in school history to earn four varsity letters ... Class valedictorian with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average... Led Rams to a third-place finish in the Bridge Division and set several season-high marks, recording a triple-double, tallying 11 kills, 17 assists, and 17 blocks ... Played for the Puget Sound Club team which placed 13th at the 1996 and 1997 KAEPA Festivals ... Puget Sound
K/G 0.50 0.50
TA 7 7
Pct .429 .429
Favorites
Place to Eat: Paradise Falls Movie: Scream
Actor: Nicolas Cage Music: Rap, R&B
Musical Performer: Tyrese TV Show:
Beverly Hills 90210 Role Model: Mom Food: Spaghetti
Book: Memoirs of a Geisha Hobbies: Reading, hiking
floating rivers placed among the top 20 in
several other national tourna
ments.
Personal: Daughter of John and Connie Iverson ... Born April 28,1980... Older sisters, Jennifer and Christine, played at Gonzaga from 1993-96... Jennifer is an assistant at Connecticut
(UM plays at UConn Sept. 1-2) while Christine coaches at Woodrow Wilson ... Earning a perfect 4.0 grade-point average in business administration.
A Aces 0 0 0 0
SE 0 0
DIG 0 0
D/G 0.0 0.0
BS 0 0
BA 2 2
TB 0 0
B/G 0.33 0.33 K
3 3
E 0 0
Montana
12
14 Joy Pierce
6-0 Junior • Middle Hitter • Fort Collins, Colorado
A candidate for Academic All-America honors ... A threat in the middle or on the outside with blocking and hitting abilities.
1999: Ranked second on team with an average of 1.09 blocks per game... Appeared in all 27 matches, starting part-time...
Recorded 10-or-more kills eight times, including a 12-kill perfor
mance (.500 hitting percentage) in Big Sky Conference
quarterfinals (11/18)... Had three matches with 10-or-more digs and two matches with 10-or-more total blocks... Earned Big Sky all-academic honors.
1998: Appeared in 23 of 27 matches as a true freshman, starting part-time... Averaged 1.3 kills, 1.2 digs, and 0.8 blocks per game... Earned Big Sky all-academic honors.
High School: Led Fort Collins High School to a 26-3 record as a senior... The Lambkins were ranked seventh nationally by USA Today... Team won the 5A Northern Conference and placed fifth at state ... Led team in kills, hitting percentage and aces and
Place to Eat:
Mackenzie River Pizza Movie: Footloose TV Show: Friends Role Model: Oprah Food: Margo Salsa Book: Gone with the Wind Hobbies: Outdoor sports,
biking, hiking, reading was second in both digs and
blocks ... Twice voted team’s most valuable player ...A two- time all-conference and all-state selection... Qualified for the Junior National Championships ... Played for the Fort Collins Club team, a first-year club team
which qualified for Junior Nationals by placing third at the Crossroad National Tournament... Also played basketball and track & field ... Played in the orchestra and twice earned all-state honors.
Personal: Daughter of Mike and Holly Pierce... Born on July 17,1980... Has two siblings: Matthew and Laura Sue... Father played football at Northern Colorado ... Majoring in history.
15 Kodi Taylor
5-11 Senior • Middle Hitter • Bridger, Montana
A candidate for Academic All-America honors ... Became an all-around player last season... Recorded 10-or-more kills in 24 consecutive matches last season ... A three-time (1997, 1998 and
1999) academic all-conference pick.
1999: Led team in kills (386) and total blocks (135)... Had 10- or-more kills, blocks and digs twice (9/10 and 10/2)... Earned all
conference honorable mention honors ... Named all-tournament at Boise State and Montana tourneys ... Team’s Outstanding Frontcourt Player... Recorded 10-or-more kills and 10-or-more digs 11 times... 20-or-more kills three times.
1998: Saw time in 25 of 27 matches, sharing starting duties ...
Ranked third on the team in blocks (0.8 bpg) and contributed 1.9 kills and 1.6 digs per game.
1997: Averaged 1.4 kills, 1.0 digs, and 0.8 blocks per game as a true freshman... Shared the team’s Outstanding Rookie Award.
High School: Led Bridger High to a 100-9 record... Won three
Favorites
Athlete: Erin Adams Place to Eat: The Depot Movie: Top Gun Actor: Tom Cruise Actress: Julia Roberts Music: All
Musical Performer:
Garth Brooks
TV Show: Dawson's Creek Food: Popcorn, spicy food Hobbies: Shopping,
watching movies, listening to music State C titles, three divisional
titles and four district titles ...A four-time all-conference and all
state player... Named the 1997 State C tournament MVP... The
1997 Gatorade Player of the Year for Montana... Holds the State C record for career kills (1,899), to
go with 704 digs and 603 blocks... Four-time all-conference pick in basketball... Also earned all-state honors ... Twice led team in scoring and rebounding ... A three-year letterwinner in track &
field... 11-time academic all-state... Class valedictorian, earning a 4.0 GPA.
Personal: Daughter of Deb and Randy Novakovich of Bridger and Jim and Julie Taylor of Laurel... Bom on March 28,1979...
Carries a 3.65 GPA in business administration.
2000 Volleyball 13
R
Season GP-MP K K/G E TA Pct A Aces SE DIG D/G BS BA TB B/G
1998 62-23 81 1.31 42 207 .188 6 12 33 73 1.18 4 47 51 0.82
1999 97-27 189 1.95 97 488 .189 10 4 20 110 1.13 14 92 106 1 09
TOTAL 159-50 4»O- 1.70 139 695 .188 16 16 53 189 1.15 18 139 157 0 99 L" ■■■ 2-7 6--- --- --- ---J
GP-MP K K/G E TA Pct A Aces SE DIG D/G BS BA TB B/G
1997 59’23 84 I-42 51 251 .131 8 3 3 60 1 0’ 8 47 50 0 85
1998 81’25 152 1 88 71 429 .189 7 15 27 133 1.64 8 58 66 0 81
I"9 107-27 386 3.61 145 1005 .240 8 23 35 283 2 64 28 107 135 1 26
TOTAL 247-75 622 2.52 267 1685 .211 23 41 65 476 L93 44 207 251 02
Head Coach
attempting to have the Griz play an aggressive style, one which will allow them to grab the game’s initial momentum.
On the court, Best trains the middle blockers and setters, positions she played in college, as well as overlook the entire offensive attack.
Best earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1994. She and her husband, Dave, were married on July 30,1994.
Coach Bestdirects her teamthroughworkouts this preseason.
