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April 2005
 Grizzly Times :: The Online Magazine of Montana Athletics Volume 1, Issue 7
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Grizzly Spotlight: Jonna Schwartz
Grizzly Times went one-on-one with junior women's tennis standout Jonna Schwartz for a question and answer session. MORE

Tale of the Tape: Robin vs. Larry
Both the Montana men's and women's basketball teams advanced to the NCAA tournament. See how coaches Robin Selvig and Larry Krystkowiak sized up the trip. MORE

The Big Five
Top Winter Performances of 2004-05

A letter from Athletic Director Don Read
Like they say when wine is good, it was a good year; so can we look back on the year and profess this same rationale. MORE

GSA and other Announcements
Check out the announcements for the UM Athletic Department and the Grizzly Scholarship Association. MORE

Click below for complete statistical capsule
Grizzly Spotlight: Jonna Schwartz

Junior Jonna Schwartz, from Aurora, Ill., competes at No. 5 singles and No. 3 doubles for The University of Montana women's tennis team. Last year Schwartz racked up a 13-9 singles record to earn honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference recognition.

Schwartz had a 7-6 singles record coming into the month of April. Schwartz and teammate senior Lindsey Torgerson were 6-5 in doubles action having won six out of their last eight contests.

Junior Jonna Schwartz
GT: How and when did you get started playing tennis?

Schwartz: I started when I was eight years old in a park district program in my hometown. My grandma wanted me to start participating in some kind of sport. We really didn’t know what it would turn into but it ended up that tennis came pretty naturally to me.

GT: What other sports did you play as a youth?

Schwartz: I played softball for a while but that ended after a couple of years because I started to take tennis more seriously. The coach I worked with at the time pushed me in the direction to work on my game full time.

GT: You’re from the Midwest, how did you end up in Montana?

Schwartz: Between my junior and senior years, with the recruiting process, I sent resumes all over the country. I was willing to go far away from home so I sent one to The University of Montana. Coach Nord got back to me – I came here on a recruiting trip and loved it. It was a great opportunity that I knew I couldn’t pass up.

GT: How would you describe your style of play?

Schwartz: I have two different styles of games. I can hit with topspin and work the point around to be more patient and force my opponents to make mistakes. Sometimes I can get up there and rip the ball – hit a flatter ball – wait for my openings where I can be more aggressive.

GT: You’re a lefty, how does that play to your advantage in the game of tennis?

Schwartz: Being left-handed in tennis is an advantage because it is not very common. Left-handers tend to have a different spin on the ball. I can play my forehand into a girls’ backhand in a cross-court rally – I have the advantage of getting a lot of sharp angles. Personally I hate playing left-handers so I can only imagine how most people feel playing me.

GT: Do you have a preference between singles or doubles?

Schwartz: I truly don’t have a preference between singles or doubles. When I was in youth tennis I always loved playing singles but then in high school I enjoyed doubles a lot more. Singles is a different game because you’re out there competing with one other person – it’s much more a game of strategy. Doubles differs because you have a partner that is out on the court, someone you can rely on.

GT: What makes up a good doubles partner?

Schwartz: Communication is the key to a good doubles partner. You need someone out on the court that you can relate with. For me, that is someone with good qualities both on and off the tennis court. You can be taught the basics as far as style of doubles play, but if you aren't able communicate with your partner you won't win a lot of matches.

Junior Jonna Schwartz
GT: You and doubles partner senior Lindsey Torgerson were 4-1 in the month of March. What allowed you to be so successful?

Schwartz: This is my second year playing with Lindsey. Last year we played at the two and struggled a bit because we were both getting used to each others style. This year we are both really comfortable with our roles on the team. I know what balls she’s going to hit and where she’s going to be on the court. We can talk to each other about anything on or off the court – we’re just mentally on the same page.

GT: Who has the biggest serve on the team?

Schwartz: It’s got to be between Mari (Castello) and Malena (Rosen). They both have very strong first and second serves – they are tough to return at times. If someone is going to ace me in practice it’s probably going to be one of those two girls.

 GT: What’s your least favorite road trip?

Schwartz: Personally I’m not a big fan of playing at Montana State or Air Force. I’m not really a fan of the long road trips in general. You can play up to three matches in a weekend - you're leaving on a Thursday and returning late on a Sunday. During the spring it feels like we’re living out of our duffle bags.

GT: Because of the climate in Missoula the team plays a lot of tennis indoors. What’s the transition like from playing inside to outside?

Schwartz: I think the transition from outside to inside is easier than inside to outside. Once you go outside your dealing with tons of other factors. Not only is the court surface going to be faster or slower, but there’s also the wind and the weather. Moving outside to inside allows you to take the weather element out of the equation. The toughest part about going inside is the lighting that varies at all venues.

GT: How does Montana stack up with the rest of the Big Sky Conference?

Schwartz: This year I think that our chances have really improved because we’ve got a great group of girls. I think that it’s the strongest team that we’ve had in my three years at UM. As far as conference goes I think that we can compete with everyone. Sac State has an amazing team and they will be very tough to beat but we’ll go into every match with a mindset of winning. I think that we’re up for the challenge of the Big Sky schedule and we’re all looking forward to four more weeks of pretty intense competition.


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Tale of the Tape: Robin vs. Larry

Tale of the Tape Selvig coached in his 16th NCAA tournament, Krystkowiak in his first. See how their experiences relate. Head coach Robin Selvig
Robin Selvig
 Head coach Larry Krystkowiak
Larry Krystowiak
Date: Saturday, March 19 Friday, March 18
Location: Seattle, Wash. (Kansas City Regional) Boise, Idaho (Albuquerque Regional)
Opponent: No. 5 seed Vanderbilt No. 1 seed Washington
How they got there: The Lady Griz earned the Big Sky Conference's automatic bid with league tournament victories over Idaho State, 78-67, and Weber State, 80-64. The Grizzlies earned the Big Sky Conference's automatic bid with league tournament victories over Eastern Washington, 58-48, Montana State, 75-69, and Weber State, 63-61.
The result: Lost 67-44 Lost 88-77
Opponent since:

Vanderbilt advanced to the round of 16 with a 63-60 victory over No. 4 seed Kansas State . The Commodores lost in the regional semifinals to No. 1 seed Michigan State, 76-64.

Washington advanced to the round of 16 with a 97-79 victory over No. 8 seed Pacific. The Huskies lost in the regional semifinals to No. 4 seed Louisville, 93-79.

Representing the Big Sky at the NCAAs – pride or pressure?

An equal amount of both. There are eight teams in our league and one team's going to go, so there was a lot of pressure getting there. Once we were there it was something to enjoy.

The difference between a regular-season and an NCAA tournament road trip:

Everybody really looks forward to the NCAA trip. A bus versus charter air travel. It's a first-class deal.

At what point did you know it was the NCAA tournament?

When the charter pulled in. At our 50-minute practice the day before the game. We needed IDs to enter the gym, we got ushered to the floor when it was our time to practice and there was someone there to take the ball away when our time was up.

ESPN's/CBS's presence and requirements at the tournament – bane or blessing?

Blessing I think it's great. We need to capture any attention we can get.

Your outlook of the opponent going into the game:

We have our hands full.

Quick, extremely talented. A bunch of athletes who made it tough for us to match up.

Opponent who worried you the most before the game:

Ashley Earley Nate Robinson. He's incredibly explosive.

The key to Montana competing:

That my team believed we could. We needed to battle on the boards and not give them any easy shots.

Main points of emphasis when addressing the team at halftime:

Rebounding was the main thing, and to relax and shoot with confidence. Try to stay consistent with our effort and maybe the door would open for us. We wanted to try to get the lead (17 points) to single digits and go from there.

The play that led you to believe your team could compete:

When they turned the ball over on their first four possessions. They only had five turnovers for the game, so it wasn't a very good omen.

There wasn't really one play. The last 35 minutes of the game I felt pretty comfortable. We got a handle on their pressure and we were able to run some good sets. We played with those guys for a large portion of the game.

Your impressions when you looked down at the opposing bench:

I never looked at the other bench. I looked down a couple of times when we got within eight (in the second half). It's kind of fun to watch them squirm a little bit.

The opposing player who ended up doing the most damage:

Probably (Abi) Ramsey hitting those three 3s in the first half. Brandon Roy. He's just a solid player, kind of an unsung hero.

Your outlook of the opponent after the game:

I knew they were good, but maybe even more impressed after the game. A lot of respect.

Your thoughts when the final horn sounded:

My four seniors were done. It was neat to know we never quit or gave up. Then I started thinking about getting back there.

The opposing player you'd most like to have on your team:

Probably Earley. You'd be crazy not to want Nate Robinson on your squad.

Your team's most pleasing development in 2004-05:

The guard play. That was a big question going into the year, and I thought it got answered pretty well. From where we started it was a nice progression of individual improvement as the year went on. Our guys found their roles and pieced it together at the right time.

Quick outlook for 2005-06:

I'm excited about it. I've wound down (from the season) and I'm really getting excited about next year's team. It'll be a different look. It's nice knowing we lose just one senior and have a solid nucleus coming back with some good young kids coming in.

Final four picks:

It's a tossup. I wouldn't be surprised if any of the four teams won, but I think LSU is the best team.

I don't know how you can't pick Illinois. It's a great final four with Louisville and Michigan State peaking at the right time. I'm going to go with an all-Big 10 final, with Illinois over Michigan State.



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THE BIG FIVE: Top Five Winter Performances of 2004-05
The Big Five



Senior forward Kamarr Davis
No. 5 - Kamarr Davis (March 17 vs. Washington)
Playing in their first NCAA tournament game since 2002, senior Kamarr Davis and the Grizzlies wanted to make sure this wasn’t just another No. 1 vs. No. 16 yawner. Despite falling behind early and trailing top-seeded Washington by 17 points at the half, Montana battled back throughout the second half before falling 88-77. The Grizzlies shot 61.8 percent over the final 20 minutes and scored 51 points, twice cutting the Huskies’ lead to single-figures. In his final game for UM, Davis, who earned All-Big Sky Conference honors as a junior and senior, finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds in 34 minutes, including 16 points in the second half.



Senior guard Lynsey Monaco
No. 4 - Lynsey Monaco (March 5 vs. Weber State)
It all set up so perfectly: head-to-head, one game to determine it all between the Wildcats and Lady Griz in the regular-season finale. A Montana win would mean its second straight outright regular-season championship and league tournament hosting rights. A Weber State victory would mean a share of the title and WSU tournament hosting rights. In front of a season-high 5,414 fans, senior Lynsey Monaco was phenomenal, scoring a career-high 21 points and adding eight assists, five rebounds and three steals as the Lady Griz won 77-70. In her first season at the point guard position, Monaco led the Big Sky Conference in assists and was named the league’s defensive player of the year.


Senior Trevor Gunlock
No. 3 - Trevor Gunlock (February 25-26 - Big Sky Championships)
If decathletes are considered the world’s greatest athletes, then their indoor-season equals, heptathletes, probably are not far behind. And senior Trevor Gunlock proved to be the best at the 2005 Big Sky Conference Indoor Championships, dominating his way to the seven-event title. Gunlock won four of the seven events outright and tied for the best in another. His final point total of 5,300 was an NCAA provisional mark and 233 better than second place. All Gunlock did as an encore was finish second in the pole vault and long jump the next day to pick up a team-high 26 points. Montana finished fourth in the team standings, 6.5 points out of second, its third-best indoor team finish in 18 years.


Senior center Hollie Tyler
No. 2 - Hollie Tyler (March 12 vs. Weber State)
When you are a senior playing basketball in the Big Sky Conference, the league’s tournament championship game can be reduced to one thing: win and you advance to the NCAA tournament, lose and your season and career are over. Senior Hollie Tyler, who earlier in the week was named the Big Sky’s co-Most Valuable Player, wasn’t about to let her and the Lady Griz’ season end against Weber State. The 6-3 center scored a career-high 29 points, hitting 13-of-17 shots, to lead Montana to an 80-64 win. The Lady Griz led by just one, 31-30, at the break, but behind Tyler’s 17 second-half points, Montana advanced to its 16th NCAA tournament.



Junior Jas Gill
No. 1 - Jas Gill (February 25-26 - Big Sky Championships)
 Junior Jas Gill was the favorite in the high jump going into the 2005 Big Sky Conference Indoor Championships at Pocatello, Idaho, and with good reason. He had not only won the indoor high jump title as a freshman and sophomore, but had won the outdoor title his first two seasons as well. Despite the pressure of being the frontrunner, Gill didn’t disappoint, winning another title with a career-best-matching height of 7-1.75. But what elevated Gill to the top of this list was what he did the next day in the triple jump, his secondary event. Having competed in the event just twice during regular-season indoor meets, Gill went 49-3.75, winning the triple jump championship by over 17 inches and becoming Montana’s first indoor double champion in 12 years.

HONORABLE MENTION

Kevin Criswell (January 20 vs. Northern Arizona)
In a game that started a run of 11 wins in 14 games, Criswell had 20 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals against the Lumbjacks in Montana's 83-79 victory. In the process, Criswell became just the 21st player in UM men's basketball history to score 1,000 career points.

Katie Edwards (January 22 at Sacramento State)
Edwards hit a Montana-record nine 3-point field goals and scored a career-high 27 points in Montana’s 70-46 victory at Sacramento State. Edwards broke the Montana record for 3-pointers in a single game of seven and tied the Big Sky Conference record.

Rachel Hendricks (February 25-26 - Big Sky Championships)
Hendricks was the Montana women’s team’s only first-place finisher at the 2005 Big Sky Conference Indoor Championships in Pocatello, Idaho. The Ada, Mich., native picked up a conference title by winning the high jump with a career-best-matching height of 5-6.
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A letter from Athletic Director Don Read
Montana A.D. Don Read
Montana A.D. Don Read

Hi Griz Fans:

Like they say when wine is good, it was a good year; so can we look back on the year and profess this same rationale. Our coaches and teams did very well, very well. Regardless of which Grizzly sports program we analyze, they did well. Excitement, entertainment and success surrounded Grizzly Athletics these past nine months.

In addition to winning a bunch of contests and championships, our athletes have competed extremely well in the classroom. It fills, for sure, all of us in The University of Montana family with great pride and satisfaction. There is no doubt our young student athletes are special along with being highly motivated. This yesteryear coach must boast that these athletes reflect the positive demeanor of their coaches. Athletics at this University as you’ve heard me say before, to great extent, represents a likeness to the training and leadership the team receives from their mentors!

A last comment that fits here is to emphasize the major role our supporters have in propelling Grizzly Athletics. Our excellence is a by-product of the attitude, enthusiasm and commitment of our countless advocates. Credit for quality sustainment over the years is tied to you and others like you – this is gospel truth. What separates this great University and others in the world of athletics is the army of caring people we have as part of our family that outnumbers and out performs the opposition.

Speaking of opponents and success, how about these facts? The 2004/05 school year athletes’ achievement of our sports teams thus far are:
  • Competed in postseason in four sports: football, men's basketball, Lady Griz basketball and soccer
  • Won league championship in football, men's basketball and women's basketball
  • Being involved in NCAA playoffs in all three major revenue producing sports
  • Have the highest average student athlete GPA in the Big Sky Conference.
  • Graduating our student athletes at a 70% rate which is among the highest nationwide
  • Volleyball made great strides this year
  • Track is having their best season in years both in the men's and women's
  • Golf and tennis, so far, are meeting expectations
All this adds up to celebration. Everyone connected with Grizzly Athletics is to be congratulated. Restored pride should be in your heart for there is good reason.

GO GRIZ!

Don Read - Athletic Director

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UM Athletic Department and GSA announcements
Montana Grizzly Scholarship Association

‘Washington Grizzly Stadium Under The Lights’ aerial display on sale to benefit UM football program
The 2004 Grizzly Football season was highlighted by many special events including another Big Sky Conference title (making it 9 out of the past 10 years), a record 12th appearance in the Division I-AA playoffs, another trip to Chattanooga for the national championship game, and the first game under the lights in Washington Grizzly Stadium’s history.

To support the Grizzly football team, The University of Montana is selling beautiful, one-of-a-kind aerial photos taken December 4, 2004 - during the quarterfinal playoff game between the Griz and the University of New Hampshire. Proceeds from this fund-raiser will assist the team with the purchase of championship rings (estimated to cost approximately $30,000.)

A portion of the purchase price will be tax deductible. The photos were provided by Curt Jacobson and Brian Daly at Corporate Technology Group and snapApps.com. The cost of the framed photograph is $150, or $350 with signatures of Athletic Director Don Read and head football coach Bobby Hauck. The cost to have it signed by the entire 2004 Grizzly football team is $500. For more information, contact the Grizzly Scholarship Association at 406.243.6487. Grizzly Athletics appreciates all the support given to its programs throughout the year.
PURCHASE AERIAL WASHINGTON-GRIZZLY STADIUM PICTURE

Griz Nation wristbands
Griz Nation wristbands on sale
Grizzly Scholarship Association apparel is available at the GSA offices in the Adams Event Center. Stop by to check out the selection and help support the Montana Grizzly Scholarship Association.
PURCHASE GRIZ NATION WRISTBAND AT THE GRIZ SHOP

GSA apparel available
Grizzly Scholarship Association apparel is available at the GSA offices in the Adams Event Center. Stop by to check out the selection and help support the Montana Grizzly Scholarship Association.

GSA sponsoring 'Griz Prowl' fundraiser
The Montana Grizzly Scholarship Association has launched the Grizzly Prowl, an effort that uses art to raise money for athletic scholarships for student-athletes. The Grizzly Prowl is similar to other fund-raisers/art exhibits that have been started around the country. Chicago used cows in its exhibits, Seattle had pigs and Billings had horses. Missoula, of course, will use grizzlies. Calendar, post cards and posters are still available, but the thirty-five life-size, fiberglass grizzly bear sculptures have been purchased. Each bear is six feet long, three feet high and 20 inches wide. Once the bears are given the artistic touch, they will find their homes in area businesses that have sponsored them. In 2005, the bears will be available for purchase during an auction. For more information, visit the following web site: http://grizzlyprowl.com or call C.J. Peterson at 406.531.9444. Also, information is available at the Grizzly Scholarship Association at 406.243.6485.

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