Montana’s Kayleigh Valley out for season after suffering ACL injury

Montana senior Kayleigh Valley, one of the top returning players in the Big Sky Conference, will miss the season after suffering an ACL injury at practice on Monday.

The season-ending nature of the ACL injury was revealed on Tuesday through an MRI.

Valley, a 5-foot-11 forward from Spokane’s University High School, led the Big Sky in scoring last season with more than 21 points per game and was one of three players voted unanimous first-team all-league.

“Obviously this is extremely disappointing for Kayleigh. She was really excited about this season and worked really hard to gear up for her senior year,” said Lady Griz coach Shannon Schweyen said.

Valley, who didn’t redshirt as a freshman, will be eligible to play next season.

Without Valley, who scored a program-record 678 points last season, Montana is down to just two upperclassmen, senior forward Alycia Sims and redshirt junior forward Mekayla Isaak.