Montana Sweeps Idaho in Big Sky Volleyball
Montana beat Idaho 3-0 on November 12, lifting itself past the Vandals in Big Sky Conference standings.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Volleyball
Montana defeated Idaho in three sets, 25-21, 25-14 and 25-21, on November 12, 2026. The win moved Montana ahead of Idaho in the Big Sky Conference standings, with both teams entering the match at 3-11 in conference play.
Why it matters
Idaho has now lost five consecutive matches heading into the Big Sky Conference tournament, leaving its postseason position in doubt. For Montana, the sweep improves its standing in a conference race where every conference win carries weight for seeding.
Kiana Greer led Idaho with 10 kills, while Gracie Cagle recorded 20 assists and six service aces for Montana. Idaho's 17 digs outpaced Montana's 11, but Montana's 16 total aces were the conference's highest mark this season.
The players
University of Montana
The public research university in Missoula, Montana, whose athletic teams compete as the Grizzlies in the Big Sky Conference.
Northern Arizona University
The public university in Flagstaff, Arizona, that will host the Big Sky Conference volleyball tournament November 23-25.
The details
Montana won the match by taking a 7-1 lead in the second set and closing it 25-14, using scoring runs of six and five points along with six service aces in that set. Idaho's 15 total errors, averaging five per set, gave Montana openings throughout the match.
Timeline
November 12, 2026: Montana defeats Idaho in three sets.
November 23-25, 2026: Big Sky Conference tournament at Northern Arizona University.
Season Trajectory
Montana's sweep moves it past Idaho in the standings as both teams enter the final stretch before the Big Sky Conference tournament at Northern Arizona University. Idaho's five-match losing streak leaves it with three regular-season games against Montana State, Weber State and Idaho State to reverse its position before the tournament.
Montana's position in the Big Sky standings is now ahead of Idaho's, which affects how the two programs are seeded for the conference tournament. Fans tracking the postseason bracket should watch Idaho's final three regular-season games against in-conference opponents.
The takeaway
Idaho's five-match losing streak shows how quickly conference position can shift late in the season. For Montana, the sweep is a reminder that consistent service pressure and fewer unforced errors can carry a team through a close conference race.
What happens next
Idaho plays Montana State, Weber State and Idaho State in its three remaining regular-season games, and the Big Sky Conference tournament runs November 23-25 at Northern Arizona University.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in the Volleyball section for Big Sky Conference results and standings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Argonaut.
