Bobcat spikers fall short in upset bid
11/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Montana State (21-10) got off to a lackluster start and Sacramento State (23-10) handled the Bobcats with ease over the course of two-and-a-half games. However, the ‘Cats still had something up their sleeves. Trailing 25-18 in the third game, the MSU defense came to life sparked by the back row play of Kiki Pemoller.
MSU closed out the third game following a Sacramento State hitting error and then carried the momentum into the next game. With the score tied 21-21, the two teams knotted the scoreboard nine times down the stretch before the Bobcats won the game on an Ana Schanze kill.
In the final set, the Hornets trailed 5-4 following a Megan Zanto ace, however, Sacramento rattled off eight unanswered points to take control of the game and win the match after three MSU miscues.
"I’m really proud of the way we competed and threw our hearts out on the court in the final two-and-a-half games," said MSU head coach Dave Gantt, who coached his final contest for the Bobcats. "We were no where to be found in the first two games and Sacramento took advantage of our ineptness.
"But, to our kids credit they fought back and put themselves into a position to win the match," Gantt added. "Obviously, we’re very disappointed but I’m happy that we went out playing at our highest level of the tournament."
Schanze paced MSU with 15 kills and five digs, while Aimee Halyk and LeAnn Kinvig also tallied double-digits with 14 and ten kills, respectively. Pemoller led MSU with a match-high 28 digs, while freshman Megan Zanto finished with a match-high seven blocks.
"We had a terrific season," Gantt said. "We were a very young and inexperienced team in August and they came together to match the school record for most wins in a season. They certainly exceeded a lot of expectations and have much to be proud.
"Now, it’s time for me to move on and let Miya (Malauulu) and Jerry (Wagner) continue what we have put together over the past five years. It was a great ride."
Sacramento State was paced in the win by Jayme Wright with a match-high 23 kills, while adding 17 digs and four blocks.
MSU closed out the third game following a Sacramento State hitting error and then carried the momentum into the next game. With the score tied 21-21, the two teams knotted the scoreboard nine times down the stretch before the Bobcats won the game on an Ana Schanze kill.
In the final set, the Hornets trailed 5-4 following a Megan Zanto ace, however, Sacramento rattled off eight unanswered points to take control of the game and win the match after three MSU miscues.
"I’m really proud of the way we competed and threw our hearts out on the court in the final two-and-a-half games," said MSU head coach Dave Gantt, who coached his final contest for the Bobcats. "We were no where to be found in the first two games and Sacramento took advantage of our ineptness.
"But, to our kids credit they fought back and put themselves into a position to win the match," Gantt added. "Obviously, we’re very disappointed but I’m happy that we went out playing at our highest level of the tournament."
Schanze paced MSU with 15 kills and five digs, while Aimee Halyk and LeAnn Kinvig also tallied double-digits with 14 and ten kills, respectively. Pemoller led MSU with a match-high 28 digs, while freshman Megan Zanto finished with a match-high seven blocks.
"We had a terrific season," Gantt said. "We were a very young and inexperienced team in August and they came together to match the school record for most wins in a season. They certainly exceeded a lot of expectations and have much to be proud.
"Now, it’s time for me to move on and let Miya (Malauulu) and Jerry (Wagner) continue what we have put together over the past five years. It was a great ride."
Sacramento State was paced in the win by Jayme Wright with a match-high 23 kills, while adding 17 digs and four blocks.
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