Bobcat Volleyball Squad Ready for 2005 Campaign
8/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Master chef Miya Malauulu will have to take her knowledge from the kitchen to the court this fall to find the right blend that will get the 2005 Bobcat volleyball team to the top of the Big Sky Conference.
Known for her potato salad, chocolate chip cookies and Korean fried chicken, Malauulu will look to tweak a few ingredients to find a recipe that combines four returning starters, an experienced libero, an untested opposite and a freshman setter.
“We’re looking forward to the season,” Malauulu said as she enters her third season as head coach. “We have all the makings of a good team-- with experienced, quality players, as well as athletic newcomers that can make an immediate impact.”
Last season, MSU finished third in the Big Sky Conference and ended its season in the semifinals of the league tournament. This fall, the Bobcats will look to become the first Montana State volleyball squad to make a Big Sky championship match and earn a berth to the NCAA Tournament.
“We’ve been close,” Malauulu said. “This year’s team has a different mental make-up, and hopefully, that will parlay into something special by the end of the season.”
The Breakdowns:
Middle Blockers
Megan Zanto, 6-3, Sr.
Angela Wiebe, 6-1, Jr.
Raelene Purnell, 6-1, So.
Kaytlin Van Burger, 5-11, Fr.
Kyla Hendry, 6-1, Fr.
Megan Zanto returns as perhaps the best middle blocker in the Big Sky Conference. Last season, the 6-foot-3 native of Helena, garnered first-team all-Big Sky honors, after averaging 3.32 kills and 1.49 blocks per game. A three-year starter, she has been consistently ranked among the top 25 blockers in the nation.
“Megan has always had the physical talent to play the game at a high level,” Malauulu said. “Where I think she made the biggest strides during the spring was in the mental aspect of the game. We’re excited for her senior season and her leadership, which will be crucial to our success.”
Angela Wiebe, a two-year starter in the middle, came on strong last fall and had an outstanding spring season. The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, averaged 1.80 kills and 1.01 blocks per game, as Montana State continued its dominance as one of the top blocking teams in the Big Sky.
“Last summer, Angela entered camp coming off surgery and it took awhile for her to regain some strength,” Malauulu said. “This summer she committed to staying in Bozeman. She’s in great shape and her starting point will be much higher than last year.”
Raelene Purnell played in 29 games for the Bobcats last season, and saw time as a middle and right-side player. She ended the season averaging 1.24 kills and .76 blocks, while hitting .294 from the floor.
“Raelene gained a lot of confidence, last fall,” Malauulu said. “Her versatility to play a variety of positions makes us that much stronger.”
A pair of freshmen will round-out MSU’s middle blockers. Kaytlin Van Burger and Kyla Hendry will look to add depth to the squad.
Van Burger, a 5-foot-11 native of Bend, Ore., can also play on the right-side. She’s coming off an outstanding season at Bend Senior High.
“Kaytlin is explosive,” Malauulu said. “She’ll be able to contribute as a freshman.”
Hendry, who prepped at Lanigan High School in Saskatchewan, is a redshirt candidate.
“Of the newcomers in the program, she is the most athletic,” Malauulu said. “We’re going to redshirt her, which will give Kyla a chance to adjust and develop into an outstanding collegiate player.”
Libero
Kandice Kelly, 5-6, Jr.
Kandice Kelly is Montana State’s lone libero heading into fall camp. One of the premier liberos in the Big Sky Conference, Kelly led all players in league and overall matches, averaging 5.17 and 4.71 digs, respectively. In addition, she was fifth on the team in service aces.
“I think a lot of people overlooked Kandice, last season,” Malauulu said. “She was the only libero in the Big Sky to average over five digs per game. She also helps us as a primary passer, and is a tremendous server, as well. What I like most about Kandice is her consistency. She is a very steady performer.”
Outside Hitters
Meggie Malyurek, 6-0, Sr.
Sammy Krier, 5-11, Sr.
Kim Stonehouse, 6-0, Jr.
Patti Anderson, 5-11, So.
Laura Viren, 6-0, Fr.
Nicole Grypiuk, 6-1, Fr.
Mikayla Fletcher, 5-10, Fr.
Perhaps MSU’s best all-around player, Malyurek returns after a stellar junior campaign that saw her average 3.05 kills and 3.24 digs per game. For her efforts, the Big Horn, Wyo., native garnered all-Big Sky honorable mention kudos and was named to her third straight all-Big Sky Conference academic team.
“I’m predicting that Meggie’s going to have a phenomenal season,” Malauulu said. “She has maintained her strength throughout the summer and she really made big strides in her consistency. She will be an outstanding leader for us this season.”
Senior Sammy Krier transferred into the Bobcat program last season and played in 22 matches, mainly in the back row. Krier ended the season averaging 1.35 digs, while adding ten aces with an explosive jump-serve.
“Sammy is very versatile and gives us quality depth,” Malauulu said. “She’s been a great addition to the program and we hope she’ll have an outstanding senior season.”
Junior Kim Stonehouse returns after a sophomore season that saw her average a team best 3.39 kills per game. A native of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Stonehouse was named to the all-Big Sky Conference honorable mention squad.
“Kim’s strengths have been hitting and blocking,” Malauulu said. “But, what I’m most excited about is her improvement in serve-receive. She has worked very hard on that part of the game and the effort has paid-off.”
Two years ago Patti Anderson entered the Bobcat program as an invited walk-on. This season, the native of Deer Lodge will be fighting for a starting spot on the right-side, following the graduation of senior LeAnn Kinvig. Anderson ended last fall averaging 1.29 kills, while hitting .350 from the floor.
“Patti just continues to develop into a solid player every time she’s on the court,” Malauulu said. “She’ll battle for a starting spot this season.”
Battling Anderson for the job on the right-side will be freshman redshirt Laura Viren. The native of Prior Lake, Minn., was the 2003 Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro kills leader as a senior.
“Laura can play on the left or the right side,” Malauulu said. “She’s a very crafty hitter and as she gains confidence, she’ll be able to contribute more and more.”
Two freshmen outside hitters are potential redshirt candidates. Nicole Grypiuk and Mikayla Fletcher each had outstanding senior season, and will look to adjust to the collegiate game next fall.
“Nicole will join us this season after playing for her provincial team,” Malauulu said. “She has a huge upside and we want her to get acclimated to our system.
“Mikayla is another redshirt candidate, who needs to gain strength and confidence at this level,” Malauulu said.
Setters
Kami Buettner, 5-9, Jr.
Brittni Sesler, 5-10, Fr.
Two new setters will look to continue the legacy set by four-year starter Kamber Kelly. Kami Buettner enters as a transfer from the University of Texas-Brownsville, while Brittni Sesler looks for the starting nod after redshirting last fall.
Buettner was an all-region selection at UT-Brownsville, after prepping at St. Mary’s High School in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.”
“We’re excited to have Kami in the program,” Malauulu said. “She brings experience and balance to the squad. She is a very strong setter with a good ability to push the ball.”
Sesler reaped the benefit of redshirting last season and being the only Bobcat setter during spring play. As a senior, she was a two-time first team all-conference pick at Alta Loma High School.
“Brittni had a great spring and was able to get a lot of reps,” Malauulu said. “She has become more confident and really became a good blocking setter. She can hold her own in the front row.”
Known for her potato salad, chocolate chip cookies and Korean fried chicken, Malauulu will look to tweak a few ingredients to find a recipe that combines four returning starters, an experienced libero, an untested opposite and a freshman setter.
“We’re looking forward to the season,” Malauulu said as she enters her third season as head coach. “We have all the makings of a good team-- with experienced, quality players, as well as athletic newcomers that can make an immediate impact.”
Last season, MSU finished third in the Big Sky Conference and ended its season in the semifinals of the league tournament. This fall, the Bobcats will look to become the first Montana State volleyball squad to make a Big Sky championship match and earn a berth to the NCAA Tournament.
“We’ve been close,” Malauulu said. “This year’s team has a different mental make-up, and hopefully, that will parlay into something special by the end of the season.”
The Breakdowns:
Middle Blockers
Megan Zanto, 6-3, Sr.
Angela Wiebe, 6-1, Jr.
Raelene Purnell, 6-1, So.
Kaytlin Van Burger, 5-11, Fr.
Kyla Hendry, 6-1, Fr.
Megan Zanto returns as perhaps the best middle blocker in the Big Sky Conference. Last season, the 6-foot-3 native of Helena, garnered first-team all-Big Sky honors, after averaging 3.32 kills and 1.49 blocks per game. A three-year starter, she has been consistently ranked among the top 25 blockers in the nation.
“Megan has always had the physical talent to play the game at a high level,” Malauulu said. “Where I think she made the biggest strides during the spring was in the mental aspect of the game. We’re excited for her senior season and her leadership, which will be crucial to our success.”
Angela Wiebe, a two-year starter in the middle, came on strong last fall and had an outstanding spring season. The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, averaged 1.80 kills and 1.01 blocks per game, as Montana State continued its dominance as one of the top blocking teams in the Big Sky.
“Last summer, Angela entered camp coming off surgery and it took awhile for her to regain some strength,” Malauulu said. “This summer she committed to staying in Bozeman. She’s in great shape and her starting point will be much higher than last year.”
Raelene Purnell played in 29 games for the Bobcats last season, and saw time as a middle and right-side player. She ended the season averaging 1.24 kills and .76 blocks, while hitting .294 from the floor.
“Raelene gained a lot of confidence, last fall,” Malauulu said. “Her versatility to play a variety of positions makes us that much stronger.”
A pair of freshmen will round-out MSU’s middle blockers. Kaytlin Van Burger and Kyla Hendry will look to add depth to the squad.
Van Burger, a 5-foot-11 native of Bend, Ore., can also play on the right-side. She’s coming off an outstanding season at Bend Senior High.
“Kaytlin is explosive,” Malauulu said. “She’ll be able to contribute as a freshman.”
Hendry, who prepped at Lanigan High School in Saskatchewan, is a redshirt candidate.
“Of the newcomers in the program, she is the most athletic,” Malauulu said. “We’re going to redshirt her, which will give Kyla a chance to adjust and develop into an outstanding collegiate player.”
Libero
Kandice Kelly, 5-6, Jr.
Kandice Kelly is Montana State’s lone libero heading into fall camp. One of the premier liberos in the Big Sky Conference, Kelly led all players in league and overall matches, averaging 5.17 and 4.71 digs, respectively. In addition, she was fifth on the team in service aces.
“I think a lot of people overlooked Kandice, last season,” Malauulu said. “She was the only libero in the Big Sky to average over five digs per game. She also helps us as a primary passer, and is a tremendous server, as well. What I like most about Kandice is her consistency. She is a very steady performer.”
Outside Hitters
Meggie Malyurek, 6-0, Sr.
Sammy Krier, 5-11, Sr.
Kim Stonehouse, 6-0, Jr.
Patti Anderson, 5-11, So.
Laura Viren, 6-0, Fr.
Nicole Grypiuk, 6-1, Fr.
Mikayla Fletcher, 5-10, Fr.
Perhaps MSU’s best all-around player, Malyurek returns after a stellar junior campaign that saw her average 3.05 kills and 3.24 digs per game. For her efforts, the Big Horn, Wyo., native garnered all-Big Sky honorable mention kudos and was named to her third straight all-Big Sky Conference academic team.
“I’m predicting that Meggie’s going to have a phenomenal season,” Malauulu said. “She has maintained her strength throughout the summer and she really made big strides in her consistency. She will be an outstanding leader for us this season.”
Senior Sammy Krier transferred into the Bobcat program last season and played in 22 matches, mainly in the back row. Krier ended the season averaging 1.35 digs, while adding ten aces with an explosive jump-serve.
“Sammy is very versatile and gives us quality depth,” Malauulu said. “She’s been a great addition to the program and we hope she’ll have an outstanding senior season.”
Junior Kim Stonehouse returns after a sophomore season that saw her average a team best 3.39 kills per game. A native of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Stonehouse was named to the all-Big Sky Conference honorable mention squad.
“Kim’s strengths have been hitting and blocking,” Malauulu said. “But, what I’m most excited about is her improvement in serve-receive. She has worked very hard on that part of the game and the effort has paid-off.”
Two years ago Patti Anderson entered the Bobcat program as an invited walk-on. This season, the native of Deer Lodge will be fighting for a starting spot on the right-side, following the graduation of senior LeAnn Kinvig. Anderson ended last fall averaging 1.29 kills, while hitting .350 from the floor.
“Patti just continues to develop into a solid player every time she’s on the court,” Malauulu said. “She’ll battle for a starting spot this season.”
Battling Anderson for the job on the right-side will be freshman redshirt Laura Viren. The native of Prior Lake, Minn., was the 2003 Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro kills leader as a senior.
“Laura can play on the left or the right side,” Malauulu said. “She’s a very crafty hitter and as she gains confidence, she’ll be able to contribute more and more.”
Two freshmen outside hitters are potential redshirt candidates. Nicole Grypiuk and Mikayla Fletcher each had outstanding senior season, and will look to adjust to the collegiate game next fall.
“Nicole will join us this season after playing for her provincial team,” Malauulu said. “She has a huge upside and we want her to get acclimated to our system.
“Mikayla is another redshirt candidate, who needs to gain strength and confidence at this level,” Malauulu said.
Setters
Kami Buettner, 5-9, Jr.
Brittni Sesler, 5-10, Fr.
Two new setters will look to continue the legacy set by four-year starter Kamber Kelly. Kami Buettner enters as a transfer from the University of Texas-Brownsville, while Brittni Sesler looks for the starting nod after redshirting last fall.
Buettner was an all-region selection at UT-Brownsville, after prepping at St. Mary’s High School in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.”
“We’re excited to have Kami in the program,” Malauulu said. “She brings experience and balance to the squad. She is a very strong setter with a good ability to push the ball.”
Sesler reaped the benefit of redshirting last season and being the only Bobcat setter during spring play. As a senior, she was a two-time first team all-conference pick at Alta Loma High School.
“Brittni had a great spring and was able to get a lot of reps,” Malauulu said. “She has become more confident and really became a good blocking setter. She can hold her own in the front row.”
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
