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Sitting in fourth place with five matches left in the regular season, The University of Montana volleyball team is staying focused on earning a spot in the Big Sky Conference Championship.  The top four teams qualify for the postseason tournament.

Though Coach Jerry Wagner doesn’t want to look ahead, he said the team is in position because each player has stepped up and played consistently at a top level.

“All the games are critical,” Wagner said.  “I have to keep the team focused on the here and now.  That is all we are trying to do.”

After falling to Montana State and Portland State at home last week, Wagner said Montana can’t look back on the losses.  

“The team did a fabulous job changing gears,” Wagner said.  “You can’t let one thing beat you up.  I want the team to learn from it and play as well as we played last time out.”

To prepare for the final matches of the season, Wagner said he is making the practices mentally tougher.

“I put the team in unfair situations,” Wagner said.  “That allows the team to even the score or come out on top.”

Wagner also tests Montana’s defense during practice. The team scrimmages at game speed and emphasizes stopping the other squad from scoring points.  

“Defense wins championships in any sport,” Wagner said.

With amped up practices, the players have responded.  Senior Taryn Wright said putting in the work at practice helps Montana prepare for tougher competition.

“It helps us mentally and physically in the long run,” Wright said.

Wright and Whitney Hobbs are the lone seniors for Montana.  Their leadership over the years has impressed Wagner.

“They have matched and exceeded their roles on a regular basis,” Wagner said.  “That is the biggest credit I can give them.”

Going into the final home match against Sacramento State on Nov. 13, the Grizzlies already have motivation.  For both seniors, the match means even more.

Wright, a 2006 graduate of St. Francis High School in Fair Oaks, Calif., and Hobbs, a 2006 graduate from El Dorado High School in Placerville, Calif., both come from the Sacramento area and know the Sac State players and coaches.

“We don’t want them to be the ones knocking us off,” Hobbs said.

Wright said besides competing for a tournament spot, there is a personal rivalry with Sac State.

“It’s not the main motivation, but it’s the back story,” Wright said.

Of the final five regular season matches, four are on the road.  Wagner said playing away from home could actually benefit Montana.

“We are fine on the road,” Wagner said.  “It’s nice to get away.”

While the players are conscience of their school work, Wagner said playing on the road gives them a break and allows them to focus on volleyball.

Hobbs said compared to taking exams on game days, traveling is less stressful.

“All we have to do is focus on is the matches,” Hobbs said.  “There are no tests or distractions.  We just focus on the games.”

Wright said whether playing on the road or at home, she is ready to compete.

“It doesn’t matter where we go,” Wright said.

For each senior, making the conference tournament would be the perfect ending to their collegiate careers.  

“The last four years have been great,” Wright said.  “I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

After starting her career at Auburn University, Hobbs said being a Griz over the past three years has created memorable experiences.

“I couldn’t imagine playing for any other team with any other girls,” Hobbs said.

The Grizzlies continue their run to the conference tournament this weekend playing in Northern Colorado at 7 p.m. Thursday and in Northern Arizona at 8 p.m. Saturday.  

To keep the Grizzlies in the right mind frame, Wagner has a simple strategy for the team.

“Practice hard today, keep a level head, and play like crazy when we can,” Wagner said.  “That, I can work into my day.”