Bobcat Spikers Give Jayhawks a Battle
9/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Friday afternoon, Montana State faced Big 12 power Kansas, and despite falling 30-23, 31-29, 27-30, 30-21, the ‘Cats almost had the Jayhawks number.
“We keep gaining experience and confidence with each match,” said third-year head coach Miya Malauulu. “The kids are starting to believe in themselves and the fact that we can compete with the best.
“We had a good shot to go five-games and upset Kansas, but we came up a little short.”
Montana State (2-3) opened the match taking a 7-3 advantage following a Megan Zanto and Kim Stonehouse block. KU responded with a 16-3 run to put the game away.
In the second stanza, Kansas (4-0) cruised to an early 14-9 lead, before MSU came back to close to within 20-19. With the score tied at 27-all, a Patti Anderson ace and KU hitting miscue gave the Bobcats two game points. However, the Jayhawks answered with four straight points, winning on a service ace that dribbled over the net.
“We should have had game two, but we didn’t take care of some details,” Malauulu said. “I was very pleased that we came from behind and were able to get ourselves into a position to win the game. We just need to believe that we can close out a team the caliber of Kansas.”
In the third game, MSU stormed to a 21-12 advantage after a Zanto and Meggie Malyurek block. Kansas closed to within 27-26, before the Bobcats won the game on a 3-1 run, sparked by a Zanto block and kill.
The final stanza belonged to Kansas, as the Jayhawks outhit the Bobcats .333 to .125. After getting out to a quick 5-2 lead, the Bobcats gave up an 11-4 run and KU never looked back.
MSU was paced in the match by junior middle blocker Angela Wiebe, who recorded a career-high 12 kills, while adding five blocks and three digs. Also in double-digit kills were Zanto and Stonehouse with 11 kills, apiece. Kandice Kelly and Anderson paced MSU defensively with 14 digs each, while Zanto added a match-high seven blocks.
“Our middles are really doing a great job,” Malauulu said. “We need our outsides to become more consistent, as well as our setters. Once that occurs, we’ll be able to move to the next level.”
MSU will finish play at the BYU/Utah Valley State Challenge on Saturday against UVS.
“We keep gaining experience and confidence with each match,” said third-year head coach Miya Malauulu. “The kids are starting to believe in themselves and the fact that we can compete with the best.
“We had a good shot to go five-games and upset Kansas, but we came up a little short.”
Montana State (2-3) opened the match taking a 7-3 advantage following a Megan Zanto and Kim Stonehouse block. KU responded with a 16-3 run to put the game away.
In the second stanza, Kansas (4-0) cruised to an early 14-9 lead, before MSU came back to close to within 20-19. With the score tied at 27-all, a Patti Anderson ace and KU hitting miscue gave the Bobcats two game points. However, the Jayhawks answered with four straight points, winning on a service ace that dribbled over the net.
“We should have had game two, but we didn’t take care of some details,” Malauulu said. “I was very pleased that we came from behind and were able to get ourselves into a position to win the game. We just need to believe that we can close out a team the caliber of Kansas.”
In the third game, MSU stormed to a 21-12 advantage after a Zanto and Meggie Malyurek block. Kansas closed to within 27-26, before the Bobcats won the game on a 3-1 run, sparked by a Zanto block and kill.
The final stanza belonged to Kansas, as the Jayhawks outhit the Bobcats .333 to .125. After getting out to a quick 5-2 lead, the Bobcats gave up an 11-4 run and KU never looked back.
MSU was paced in the match by junior middle blocker Angela Wiebe, who recorded a career-high 12 kills, while adding five blocks and three digs. Also in double-digit kills were Zanto and Stonehouse with 11 kills, apiece. Kandice Kelly and Anderson paced MSU defensively with 14 digs each, while Zanto added a match-high seven blocks.
“Our middles are really doing a great job,” Malauulu said. “We need our outsides to become more consistent, as well as our setters. Once that occurs, we’ll be able to move to the next level.”
MSU will finish play at the BYU/Utah Valley State Challenge on Saturday against UVS.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
