Montana’s Paige Clark earns Big Sky Player of the Week recognition

(Editor’s be aware: College of Montana media launch)

MISSOULA — Montana sophomore exterior hitter Paige Clark was named the Massive Sky Convention Offensive Participant of the Week on Monday.

Clark, a sophomore from Idaho Falls, Idaho, helped Montana to a 2-1 weekend on the Hampton Inn Invitational in Indiana, sweeping Saint Francis and host IUPUI on Saturday. At 4-2 on the younger season, the Grizzlies are off to their greatest six-match begin in 14 years.

Clark averaged 4.11 kills per set on a strong .256 hitting for the weekend, additionally including a service ace and 5 blocks. She was in double figures for kills in all three matches, together with 12 kills on .296 hitting in a win over Saint Francis and 14 kills at a .355 clip that night at IUPUI.

In opposition to the Purple Flash, Montana jumped out to a 7-0 lead in Set 2, together with back-to-back kills from Clark. She had seven kills within the third set alone, together with three throughout a 7-0 scoring run that allowed Montana to show an 8-8 tie into a snug benefit.

Tied, 12-12, within the opening set at IUPUI, Montana closed the body on a 13-5 run, getting seven factors from Clark (4 kills and three blocks). Early in Set 2, she served throughout a 5-0 scoring run and completed the set with seven kills, together with one on set level after the Jaguars had tied the rating at 23-23.

On the season, Clark ranks third within the league for kills (4.05 per set) and factors (4.74), being in double figures for kills in all six matches.

The sophomore is in simply her second collegiate volleyball season, however extra spectacular, she is lower than 11 months faraway from a transition to the skin hitter place. Beginning her freshman season as Montana’s backup setter, Clark compelled her means onto the court docket, at one level as a setter in a 6-2 offense after which as a back-row defender. By October, the Grizzlies tried her out on the left pin, the place she instantly thrived. Over the ultimate 13 matches of the 2021 season, Clark ranked second within the Massive Sky for kills (3.49 per set) and third for whole factors (4.07). She set a Griz freshman report (25-point scoring period) with 23 kills vs. Portland State and earned second-team All-Massive Sky recognition.

Up to now in 2022, Montana ranks excessive as a staff in almost each statistical class, rating second for kills, assists and repair aces; third for hitting share and opponent hitting share; fourth for digs; and sixth for blocks.