OREM, Utah -- Setters Arleigh Hanson and Isa Boyd each recorded double-doubles and freshman Ellen Gundlach paced the offense with 16 kills as the Navy (2-1) volleyball team posted a four-set victory over Montana (0-3), Saturday afternoon at the UCCU Center in Orem, Utah.  The 25-19, 25-23, 19-25, 25-18 victory by the Mids closed out play at the season-opening Utah Valley Invitational.

"That was a really gritty performance," said Navy head coach Paco Labrador, who with today's win recorded his 100th career victory on the Navy sideline (100-76, eighth season).  "Three matches in 26 hours is a real test and we had some huge step-up moments.

"This weekend was a success both for coming away with wins on the road and also getting to see how deep and talented our team will be this season."

Set One
Neither team held any kind of comfortable lead in the set until the Mids went on a 6-1 run to take a 22-16 advantage.  A Gundlach kill started the run, which also included two additional kills by the Mids, a pair of blocks and an attack error by the Grizzlies.

Set Two
The second frame also was tight until a 5-0 run by the Mids gave them a 20-15 cushion.  Montana was able to close to within two points at 21-19. The teams exchanged the ensuing four points, then a block by the Grizzlies closed the margin to one point at 23-22.  Hanson fed Ava Toppin for a kill to give Navy a serve for the set (24-22), but a kill by Montana allowed it to stave off the opportunity (24-23).  Boyd then connected with Toppin for a kill to give Navy the second stanza.

Set Three
Montana began the season Friday by taking the first two sets against Utah Valley before the Wolverines won the next three sets to earn the reverse sweep.  The Grizzlies took a first step toward matching that result by taking a 5-1 lead at the start of the third set.  The Mids climbed back into the frame and were able to close the deficit down to as few as one point a couple of times.  The Grizzlies were able to build a little separation in the middle part of the set before a 4-0 run gave them a 23-16 cushion that Navy could not dent.

Set Four
Navy was the team to take an early lead in set four as it started with 6-2 and 10-5 advantages.  It was a 14-11 lead for the Mids when a 5-0 spurt gave them a 19-11 cushion.

Statistical Summary
Navy finished with slight statistical advantages in kills (56-47), hitting percentage (.206-.123), digs (73-68) and blocks (13-8).  Montana led in aces, 6-1, but also had 9 service errors to 8 for Navy.

"Credit Montana for their defense," said Labrador.  "Every time we thought we had a good source of offense, they would adjust and make plays to keep our attackers off balance."

Gundlach recorded 16 kills and a .286 hitting percentage and Toppin added 11 kills and a .375 hitting effort. Toppin also had five blocks to finish one behind the team leader Julia Humphrey's six.

"I can't say enough about Ava," said Labrador.  "She's playing the most physically taxing position on the team and was still playing at the highest level late in set four today. Julia really dialed into her blocking game today.

"Emerson Lionberger and Siena Morgan (four kills each) both came into the match and scored points when we needed them."

Hanson dished out 22 assists and grabbed 14 digs while Boyd tallied 18 helpers and 12 digs.  They were two of the five Mids to record double-digit digs with 18 from Ally Alessio pacing the team.

Up Next
Navy will be home the next three weekends.  That run starts with the Kristen Dickmann Invitational as the Mids face Air Force Friday, George Mason Saturday and Wake Forest Sunday.