New volleyball class will look to continue upward trajectory

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Montana volleyball team has been making strides each of the past two years under head coach Allison Lawrence, and a big piece of keeping that momentum moving forward arrived this week, when five players officially joined the program.
 
Joining the Grizzlies next fall will be Lexie Gleasman (OH), Amethyst Harper (OH), Kelly Horning (MB), Isabel List (OPP) and Catie Semadeni (OH).                                                                                                                                                        "We're really excited for this group to join our program," Lawrence said. "We wanted athletes who love the grind, athletes who know exactly where this program is and where it needs to be, and want to be part of it because they know that challenges pull the best out of them."
 
The group has a heavy emphasis on attackers, with three left sides, a right side and a powerful middle blocker joining the team. The focus was intentional, with Montana graduating three pin hitters.
 
"We knew that we needed athletes who could come in and at least fight to contribute right away," Lawrence said. "We wanted hitters who not only had a wide range of strengths offensively, but then also could contribute in the back row and pass and play defense as well."
 
Montana will graduate six players this fall after having zero seniors a year ago. While the six is a large number, Lawrence said that last year's lack of senior class allowed her and her staff to really foster relationships with this week's signees, in addition to future classes.
 
"We weren't scrambling last year," the second-year head coach said. "We were able to take our time and focus on building relationships and being with them for a longer period of time."

LEXIE GLEASMAN
Position: Outside Hitter
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Chelan, Wash.
High School: Chelan H.S.
 
Lexie Gleasman wasn't just a multi-sport athlete in high school, but more of an all-sport athlete. In addition to earning four letters in volleyball – and being named the 2018 Caribou Trail League Player of the Year in Chelan, Wash. – Gleasman earned all-state honors in basketball last winter and all-league recognition in softball. Her versatility is one of the things that drew Lawrence to the prep star.
 
"It's hard to stay committed to playing multiple sports, especially with how club volleyball takes over, but I think the fact that she's stuck with it has benefited her," Lawrence said. "She brings a lot in terms of leadership and knowing her roles on different teams."
 
More than her versatility and leadership, though, Gleasman has talent on the volleyball court, helping her team to three consecutive top-eight finishes at state.
 
"She's got size, she's got an arm, and what I love about her is where she came from," Lawrence said. "She has a different background that will provide a different type of voice and leadership for our team."
 
High School: Will be a 2019 graduate of Chelan High School… Was named the 2018 Caribou Trail League Player of the Year… Earned all-league honors every season, including first-team recognition three times… Two-time captain… As a senior in 2018, won a Caribou Trail League title… Helped the Mountain Goats to back-to-back top-eight finishes at state, including a semifinals appearance in 2017… Also lettered every year in both basketball and softball… Was a two-time captain on her basketball team, earning all-state honors in 2018… First-team all-league in softball in 2018… Head volleyball coach was Jenifer Rainville… Played club volleyball for College Preparatory Academy and Kahaiu VBC.
 
Personal: Born and raised in Chelan, Wash. … Parents are Randy and Lisa Gleasman… Has two older siblings, Lucas and Katie, and a younger brother, Gunner… Lucas plays football at Carroll College in Montana while Katie plays softball at Centralia Community College… Intends to major in biology.