Montana State Spikers Host Eastern Washington, Portland State
10/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
HOME SWEET HOME:
The Montana State volleyball team will host a pair of Big Sky Conference matches inside the friendly confines of Shroyer Gym. The Bobcats will open the weekend against Eastern Washington on Thursday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. MSU will conclude weekend play against Portland State, Saturday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. This weekend serves as Homecoming for Montana State University.
REWRAPPING THE WEEK THAT WAS:
Montana State split a pair of Big Sky Conference road matches last weekend. MSU opened with a 31-29, 30-25, 30-14 loss to Northern Colorado in Greeley. The Bobcats held a 28-25 advantage in the opening game, but saw the lead slip as the Bears outscored MSU 6-1 down the stretch. In the second stanza with the score tied at 22-all, three consecutive MSU errors gave UNC a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. In the final game, Northern Colorado out-hit the ‘Cats .273 to -.159 for the match. The Bobcats were paced in the loss by Kim Stonehouse with a team-high 12 kills. Laura Viren and Allyce Bebensee guided MSU defensively with 16 and 14 digs, respectively. Middle blockers Raelene Purnell and Angela Wiebe led the Bobcats at the net with five blocks, apiece. On Saturday, the Bobcats rebounded from a first game loss to post a 20-30, 30-24, 30-26, 35-33 win over Northern Arizona. The win in Flagstaff was MSU’s fourth in the last five years. Wiebe paced the Bobcats in the victory with a career-high 16 kills. She also posted a .423 attack mark, four digs and four blocks. Libero Kandice Kelly notched a match-high 22 digs, while Viren recorded double-digits, as well, with 11 saves. Senior Kami Buettner matched a career-high with 6 kills, while adding a .600 attack mark, 16 assists and three digs. Despite being out-hit, out-dug and out-blocked, the Bobcats registered six aces and four errors, while the Lumberjacks has 12 aces and 23 service errors.
THE SCOUTING REPORT:
Eastern Washington is currently 8-7 overall and 1-5 in Big Sky play. The perrenial Big Sky power recently snapped a five-match league losing streak with a 3-0 sweep of Weber State. Against WSU, the Eagles were led by Addie Webster and Brittney Page with 16 and 12 kills, respectively. As a team, EWU out-hit Weber State .288 to .124. On the season, Eastern Washington has been guided by Page (6-1, Sr., OH), who is averaging a team-best 3.84 kills and .94 blocks per game, while hitting .316. Portland State, who will play at Montana on Thursday night, is 10-5 overall and 5-1 in Big Sky action. The Vikings defeated Idaho State, before dropping its first conference match to Sacramento State 3-0 on Saturday. PSU is led by senior Jessica Brodie. The 5-foot-6 outside hitter is averaging 5.35 kills and 3.81 digs per game.
TOP ‘CAT:
Angela Wiebe has been named Montana State’s Player of the Week for her efforts against Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona. Wiebe posted a career-high 16 kills as the Bobcats downed Northern Arizona on Saturday night. Wiebe also posted a .423 attack mark, four digs and four blocks against the Lumberjacks. On the weekend, the 6-foot-1 middle blocker from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, averaged 3.57 kills and 1.29 blocks, while hitting .283 from the field.
FROM THE PINE-- (58-42/4YRS, 26-21 BIG SKY):
Miya Malauulu became Montana State’s seventh head coach at the conclusion of the 2002 season. Since then, she has put her own fingerprint on a Bobcat program that has produced four 20-win seasons in the last eight years. Prior to being named head coach, the 1998 graduate of Oregon State University, served as an assistant under Dave Gantt for five seasons. Malauulu came to Bozeman after a successful stint playing for the Beavers. A native of Carson, Calif., she played at OSU from 1994-97. She still holds numerous records at Oregon State and currently ranks fourth all-time in PAC-10 history with 5,368 assists. A two-time OSU most valuable player and an unprecendented four-time Beaver captain, she prepped at Bishop Montgomery High School and played for national club power NIKE-Ichiban, where she garnered USVBA Player of the Year kudos. Malauulu is joined on the bench this season by assistant coaches Lisa Mimick and Erin Naipo. Mimick, a former All-Big XII first-team selection at Kansas State, begins her third season at MSU. She previously served as an assistant coach at SW Minnesota State in Marshall. Naipo, a 2002 graduate of Dartmouth College, was a four-year letterwinner and team captain for the Big Green. She is in her second year at MSU and previously served as assistant coach at Spokane Community College.
2005: A YEAR IN REVIEW:
The Bobcats finished 15-15 overall and 7-7 in Big Sky Conference action. MSU played its toughest schedule in school history, going up against eight teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament, including eventual national champion Washington. The Bobcats also hosted Missouri and Wisconsin- two squads that advanced to the Elite Eight. Seniors Megan Zanto and Meggie Malyurek concluded their careers, each going over the 1,000 kill plateau. Junior Kandice Kelly became MSU’s all-time digs leader.
CAT TRACKS:
The Bobcats return eight letterwinners from last season, including four starters: Kim Stonehouse, Angela Wiebe, Laura Viren and Kami Buettner...Stonehouse recorded 371 kills and was ranked among the top ten in the Big Sky Conference...Stonehouse was a second-team All-Big Sky pick last season...MSU finished 25th in the nation in attendance, averaging 1,260 fans per game...The Bobcats have been ranked among the nation’s top 40 squads in blocking for six consecutive seasons.
SHE’S A STONEHOUSE:
Senior Kim Stonehouse leads the Bobcats offensively. The 6-foot outside hitter from Medicine Hat, Alberta, is averaging 3.33 kills per game, while hitting .177 from the field. Last season, Stonehouse was a second-team All-Big Sky Conference selection, after averaging 3.40 kills with a .190 attack mark. Stonehouse tied a career-high in Montana State’s four-game win over Lipscomb with 24 kills. Last weekend, Stonehouse pounded down 21 kills, including the match winner against Northern Arizona. On the weekend, she averaged 3.00 kills and 2.14 digs per game, while hitting only .060 from the floor.
DIGGIN’ IT:
Senior Kandice Kelly continued her assault on the all-time Montana State career digs chart last weekend posting 30 saves in MSU’s two matches. Kelly’s 1,503 career digs are first at MSU and rank among the top seven all-time in Big Sky Conference history, as well. Earlier this season, she posted a career and Big Sky Conference-best 38 digs in the Bobcats’ win over Bradley. On the season, the 5-foot-6 native of Roundup, is averaging a team-best 4.69 digs per game, which is also second best in the conference. Kelly’s career 4.28 digs per game average currently ranks fourth in Big Sky Conference history.
PURNELL POWER:
Junior Raelene Purnell has been one of Montana State’s go-to players this season. After playing behind Megan Zanto and Angela Wiebe the last two seasons, the 6-foot-1 middle blocker from Red Deer, Alberta, leads the team in hitting percentage; is second in blocking and kills per game and fourth in service aces. Two weeks ago, she posted a career-high 15 kills in MSU’s loss to Idaho State, while hitting .394 from the floor. Last weekend, she averaged 2.29 kills, while hitting .167 and adding five blocks and a dig. She had her best match of the weekend against Northern Colorado with nine kills and five blocks. Purnell has been in double-digit kills on five ocassions and has posted five matches hitting over .300 from the field this season.
WHEN YOU THINK OF LAURA:
Sophomore Laura Viren continued her struggles hitting from the field, posting a .098 attack mark over the weekend. The 6-foot outside hitter from Prior Lake, Minn., recorded 15 kills (2.14 kpg) and 27 digs (3.86 dpg). On the season, she is averaging 2.47 kills per game and 3.11 digs per contest. Her 146 total digs are second best on the squad, while her 15 service aces are tops on the squad. Viren, who was named to the All-Big Sky Conference Tournament team last season, is hitting .115 from the field and has posted two double-doubles, including 14 kills and 15 digs in MSU’s victory over Rice at Arizona.
WIEBE BE BLOCKIN’:
Senior middle blocker Angela Wiebe has been a solid performer for the Bobcats this season. The 6-foot-1 native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, is averaging 2.10 kills and 1.12 blocks per game, while posting a .205 hitting percentage. Wiebe’s 1.12 blocks per game are currently sixth best in the Big Sky Conference. She recorded a career and season-high 16 kills in MSU’s over Northern Arizona. She also posted a season-best seven blocks versus Rice. Last weekend, Wiebe had 25 kills (3.57 kpg) and nine blocks (1.29) per game, while hitting .283 from the field. Against NAU, Wiebe notched 16 kills and a .423 attack mark.
PATTI LOU:
Junior right-side hitter Patti Anderson has played in 49 of 51 games for the Bobcats this season. The 5-foot-11 native of Deer Lodge, who struggled during the early portion of the season, has righted the ship the last few weekends. Last weekend, Anderson had her best match against Northern Arizona recording seven kills, a .286 attack mark, seven digs, three blocks and two service aces. She has been in double-digit digs on seven occasions this fall, including a career-high 25 saves in MSU’s five-game victory over Rice at the University of Arizona Classic. She is currently third on the team in blocking (.53 bpg).
DISHIN’ THE ROCK:
Junior Sarah Allen has shared the setting duties for the Bobcats this fall after transferring to Montana State from Whatcomm Community College. Allen dished out a career-high 54 assists (13.5 apg) against Bradley, last month. On the season, she is averaging 5.74 assists per game. Last weekend, Allen posted 19 assists and four digs to guide the Bobcats past Northern Arizona. She added four assists in one game at Northern Colorado.
THE SPECIALIST:
Freshman walk on Allyce Bebensee has played in 40 of MSU’s 51 games this season and is averaging 2.12 digs per game. Her total of 85 digs is fifth best on the squad. The 5-foot-7 native of Thornton, Colo., posted a career and season-best 14 digs on two occasions, including last weekend against Northern Colorado. Her first dig mark came in MSU’s 3-1 victory over Bradley at the Arizona-Sheraton Four Points Classic. In addition, Bebensee has recorded six aces, including three winners against Florida Atlantic to spark the Bobcats to the win over the Owls. Last weekend, Bebensee notched 15 digs (3.00 dpg) and an ace.
IN-N-OUT BURGER:
Sophomore Kaytlin Van Burger is starting to receive more playing time as the season progresses. The 5-foot-11 native of Bend, Ore., is averaging 1.46 kills per game. Her .2204 attack mark is fourth best on the squad. Van Burger recorded a career-high ten kills and four blocks in MSU’s win over Bradley. Last weekend, she saw action in Montana State’s matches against Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona. Van Burger made the most of her time against UNC, registering a career-high five blocks. She also recorded one kill and an assist versus the Bears. In all, Van Burger has posted three matches this fall in which she has hit over .400 from the field.
GET A GRIP:
Redshirt freshman Nicole Grypiuk has played in 25 games this fall, and is averaging .60 kills per game. Coming off the bench, the 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, recorded a season and career-best three kills against Arizona. Grypiuk also posted a season and career-high two blocks versus Bradley. Last weekend, she saw limited action, playing in one game against Northern Colorado.
BITS ON BUETTNER:
Senior setter Kami Buettner has played in 45 of MSU’s 51 games on the season and is averaging 6.80 assists and 1.33 digs per game. The 5-foot-9 native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, posted a season-high 38 assists in MSU’s 3-1 loss to Nevada at the 12th Annual Holiday Inn Classic. Buettner has posted three double-doubles this fall to pace the Bobcat squad. She registered a season-best 12 digs against Wichita State. Last weekend, Buettner posted 41 assists (5.86 apg), seven kills, five digs and three blocks. Buettner also matched a career-high with six kills against Northern Arizona. Against the Lumberjacks, she went 6-0-11 for a .600 attack mark. Buettner also matched a career-high three blocks at Northern Colorado on Thursday evening.
OH HENDRY:
Redshirt freshman Kyla Hendry has been hampered with an injury this season and has seen limited action. The 6-foot-1 middle blocker from Lanigan, Saskatchewan, has played in three matches, including two games against Bradley.
A SHIRT OF A DIFFERENT COLOR:
Three true freshmen are redshirting this season. The trio includes Meghan Albiston, a 5-foot-5 libero from Idaho Falls, Idaho; Wendy Doutre, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter from Sparks, Nevada; and Maria Peterson, a 5-foot-10 setter from Corvallis, Mont.
PACKIN’ ‘EM IN:
Montana State has been ranked among the top 30 in attendance at the NCAA Division I level for the past five seasons. The Bobcats are on track to remain in the country’s top 30, once again this fall. Currently, the Bobcats are averaging 964 fans in Shroyer Gym. Although down from previous seasons, MSU currently ranks No. 28, just behind the Tigers of Clemson. Montana State has had three matches with over 1,000 fans, including a season-high 1,357 in attendance last Saturday against Idaho State. The Bobcats hold the Big Sky Conference and State of Montana all-time volleyball attendance mark of 6,378 fans, set on Nov. 15, 2002 in Worthington Arena.
HIGH IN THE SKY, STATISTICALLY SPEAKING:
In all matches as a team, the Bobcats rank: seventh in hitting percentage (.170), eighth in assists (11.65), eighth in blocking (2.19), seventh in kills (13.24), eighth in service aces (1.43) and third in digs (16.96(). Individually, the following Bobcats are ranked among the Big Sky Conference’s best: Assists, Kami Buettner, 8th, 6.80 apg; Blocks, Angela Wiebe, 6th, 1.12 bpg; Kills, Kim Stonehouse, 9th, 3.33 kpg; Digs, Kandice Kelly, 2nd, 4.69 dpg.
The Montana State volleyball team will host a pair of Big Sky Conference matches inside the friendly confines of Shroyer Gym. The Bobcats will open the weekend against Eastern Washington on Thursday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. MSU will conclude weekend play against Portland State, Saturday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. This weekend serves as Homecoming for Montana State University.
REWRAPPING THE WEEK THAT WAS:
Montana State split a pair of Big Sky Conference road matches last weekend. MSU opened with a 31-29, 30-25, 30-14 loss to Northern Colorado in Greeley. The Bobcats held a 28-25 advantage in the opening game, but saw the lead slip as the Bears outscored MSU 6-1 down the stretch. In the second stanza with the score tied at 22-all, three consecutive MSU errors gave UNC a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. In the final game, Northern Colorado out-hit the ‘Cats .273 to -.159 for the match. The Bobcats were paced in the loss by Kim Stonehouse with a team-high 12 kills. Laura Viren and Allyce Bebensee guided MSU defensively with 16 and 14 digs, respectively. Middle blockers Raelene Purnell and Angela Wiebe led the Bobcats at the net with five blocks, apiece. On Saturday, the Bobcats rebounded from a first game loss to post a 20-30, 30-24, 30-26, 35-33 win over Northern Arizona. The win in Flagstaff was MSU’s fourth in the last five years. Wiebe paced the Bobcats in the victory with a career-high 16 kills. She also posted a .423 attack mark, four digs and four blocks. Libero Kandice Kelly notched a match-high 22 digs, while Viren recorded double-digits, as well, with 11 saves. Senior Kami Buettner matched a career-high with 6 kills, while adding a .600 attack mark, 16 assists and three digs. Despite being out-hit, out-dug and out-blocked, the Bobcats registered six aces and four errors, while the Lumberjacks has 12 aces and 23 service errors.
THE SCOUTING REPORT:
Eastern Washington is currently 8-7 overall and 1-5 in Big Sky play. The perrenial Big Sky power recently snapped a five-match league losing streak with a 3-0 sweep of Weber State. Against WSU, the Eagles were led by Addie Webster and Brittney Page with 16 and 12 kills, respectively. As a team, EWU out-hit Weber State .288 to .124. On the season, Eastern Washington has been guided by Page (6-1, Sr., OH), who is averaging a team-best 3.84 kills and .94 blocks per game, while hitting .316. Portland State, who will play at Montana on Thursday night, is 10-5 overall and 5-1 in Big Sky action. The Vikings defeated Idaho State, before dropping its first conference match to Sacramento State 3-0 on Saturday. PSU is led by senior Jessica Brodie. The 5-foot-6 outside hitter is averaging 5.35 kills and 3.81 digs per game.
TOP ‘CAT:
Angela Wiebe has been named Montana State’s Player of the Week for her efforts against Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona. Wiebe posted a career-high 16 kills as the Bobcats downed Northern Arizona on Saturday night. Wiebe also posted a .423 attack mark, four digs and four blocks against the Lumberjacks. On the weekend, the 6-foot-1 middle blocker from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, averaged 3.57 kills and 1.29 blocks, while hitting .283 from the field.
FROM THE PINE-- (58-42/4YRS, 26-21 BIG SKY):
Miya Malauulu became Montana State’s seventh head coach at the conclusion of the 2002 season. Since then, she has put her own fingerprint on a Bobcat program that has produced four 20-win seasons in the last eight years. Prior to being named head coach, the 1998 graduate of Oregon State University, served as an assistant under Dave Gantt for five seasons. Malauulu came to Bozeman after a successful stint playing for the Beavers. A native of Carson, Calif., she played at OSU from 1994-97. She still holds numerous records at Oregon State and currently ranks fourth all-time in PAC-10 history with 5,368 assists. A two-time OSU most valuable player and an unprecendented four-time Beaver captain, she prepped at Bishop Montgomery High School and played for national club power NIKE-Ichiban, where she garnered USVBA Player of the Year kudos. Malauulu is joined on the bench this season by assistant coaches Lisa Mimick and Erin Naipo. Mimick, a former All-Big XII first-team selection at Kansas State, begins her third season at MSU. She previously served as an assistant coach at SW Minnesota State in Marshall. Naipo, a 2002 graduate of Dartmouth College, was a four-year letterwinner and team captain for the Big Green. She is in her second year at MSU and previously served as assistant coach at Spokane Community College.
2005: A YEAR IN REVIEW:
The Bobcats finished 15-15 overall and 7-7 in Big Sky Conference action. MSU played its toughest schedule in school history, going up against eight teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament, including eventual national champion Washington. The Bobcats also hosted Missouri and Wisconsin- two squads that advanced to the Elite Eight. Seniors Megan Zanto and Meggie Malyurek concluded their careers, each going over the 1,000 kill plateau. Junior Kandice Kelly became MSU’s all-time digs leader.
CAT TRACKS:
The Bobcats return eight letterwinners from last season, including four starters: Kim Stonehouse, Angela Wiebe, Laura Viren and Kami Buettner...Stonehouse recorded 371 kills and was ranked among the top ten in the Big Sky Conference...Stonehouse was a second-team All-Big Sky pick last season...MSU finished 25th in the nation in attendance, averaging 1,260 fans per game...The Bobcats have been ranked among the nation’s top 40 squads in blocking for six consecutive seasons.
SHE’S A STONEHOUSE:
Senior Kim Stonehouse leads the Bobcats offensively. The 6-foot outside hitter from Medicine Hat, Alberta, is averaging 3.33 kills per game, while hitting .177 from the field. Last season, Stonehouse was a second-team All-Big Sky Conference selection, after averaging 3.40 kills with a .190 attack mark. Stonehouse tied a career-high in Montana State’s four-game win over Lipscomb with 24 kills. Last weekend, Stonehouse pounded down 21 kills, including the match winner against Northern Arizona. On the weekend, she averaged 3.00 kills and 2.14 digs per game, while hitting only .060 from the floor.
DIGGIN’ IT:
Senior Kandice Kelly continued her assault on the all-time Montana State career digs chart last weekend posting 30 saves in MSU’s two matches. Kelly’s 1,503 career digs are first at MSU and rank among the top seven all-time in Big Sky Conference history, as well. Earlier this season, she posted a career and Big Sky Conference-best 38 digs in the Bobcats’ win over Bradley. On the season, the 5-foot-6 native of Roundup, is averaging a team-best 4.69 digs per game, which is also second best in the conference. Kelly’s career 4.28 digs per game average currently ranks fourth in Big Sky Conference history.
PURNELL POWER:
Junior Raelene Purnell has been one of Montana State’s go-to players this season. After playing behind Megan Zanto and Angela Wiebe the last two seasons, the 6-foot-1 middle blocker from Red Deer, Alberta, leads the team in hitting percentage; is second in blocking and kills per game and fourth in service aces. Two weeks ago, she posted a career-high 15 kills in MSU’s loss to Idaho State, while hitting .394 from the floor. Last weekend, she averaged 2.29 kills, while hitting .167 and adding five blocks and a dig. She had her best match of the weekend against Northern Colorado with nine kills and five blocks. Purnell has been in double-digit kills on five ocassions and has posted five matches hitting over .300 from the field this season.
WHEN YOU THINK OF LAURA:
Sophomore Laura Viren continued her struggles hitting from the field, posting a .098 attack mark over the weekend. The 6-foot outside hitter from Prior Lake, Minn., recorded 15 kills (2.14 kpg) and 27 digs (3.86 dpg). On the season, she is averaging 2.47 kills per game and 3.11 digs per contest. Her 146 total digs are second best on the squad, while her 15 service aces are tops on the squad. Viren, who was named to the All-Big Sky Conference Tournament team last season, is hitting .115 from the field and has posted two double-doubles, including 14 kills and 15 digs in MSU’s victory over Rice at Arizona.
WIEBE BE BLOCKIN’:
Senior middle blocker Angela Wiebe has been a solid performer for the Bobcats this season. The 6-foot-1 native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, is averaging 2.10 kills and 1.12 blocks per game, while posting a .205 hitting percentage. Wiebe’s 1.12 blocks per game are currently sixth best in the Big Sky Conference. She recorded a career and season-high 16 kills in MSU’s over Northern Arizona. She also posted a season-best seven blocks versus Rice. Last weekend, Wiebe had 25 kills (3.57 kpg) and nine blocks (1.29) per game, while hitting .283 from the field. Against NAU, Wiebe notched 16 kills and a .423 attack mark.
PATTI LOU:
Junior right-side hitter Patti Anderson has played in 49 of 51 games for the Bobcats this season. The 5-foot-11 native of Deer Lodge, who struggled during the early portion of the season, has righted the ship the last few weekends. Last weekend, Anderson had her best match against Northern Arizona recording seven kills, a .286 attack mark, seven digs, three blocks and two service aces. She has been in double-digit digs on seven occasions this fall, including a career-high 25 saves in MSU’s five-game victory over Rice at the University of Arizona Classic. She is currently third on the team in blocking (.53 bpg).
DISHIN’ THE ROCK:
Junior Sarah Allen has shared the setting duties for the Bobcats this fall after transferring to Montana State from Whatcomm Community College. Allen dished out a career-high 54 assists (13.5 apg) against Bradley, last month. On the season, she is averaging 5.74 assists per game. Last weekend, Allen posted 19 assists and four digs to guide the Bobcats past Northern Arizona. She added four assists in one game at Northern Colorado.
THE SPECIALIST:
Freshman walk on Allyce Bebensee has played in 40 of MSU’s 51 games this season and is averaging 2.12 digs per game. Her total of 85 digs is fifth best on the squad. The 5-foot-7 native of Thornton, Colo., posted a career and season-best 14 digs on two occasions, including last weekend against Northern Colorado. Her first dig mark came in MSU’s 3-1 victory over Bradley at the Arizona-Sheraton Four Points Classic. In addition, Bebensee has recorded six aces, including three winners against Florida Atlantic to spark the Bobcats to the win over the Owls. Last weekend, Bebensee notched 15 digs (3.00 dpg) and an ace.
IN-N-OUT BURGER:
Sophomore Kaytlin Van Burger is starting to receive more playing time as the season progresses. The 5-foot-11 native of Bend, Ore., is averaging 1.46 kills per game. Her .2204 attack mark is fourth best on the squad. Van Burger recorded a career-high ten kills and four blocks in MSU’s win over Bradley. Last weekend, she saw action in Montana State’s matches against Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona. Van Burger made the most of her time against UNC, registering a career-high five blocks. She also recorded one kill and an assist versus the Bears. In all, Van Burger has posted three matches this fall in which she has hit over .400 from the field.
GET A GRIP:
Redshirt freshman Nicole Grypiuk has played in 25 games this fall, and is averaging .60 kills per game. Coming off the bench, the 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, recorded a season and career-best three kills against Arizona. Grypiuk also posted a season and career-high two blocks versus Bradley. Last weekend, she saw limited action, playing in one game against Northern Colorado.
BITS ON BUETTNER:
Senior setter Kami Buettner has played in 45 of MSU’s 51 games on the season and is averaging 6.80 assists and 1.33 digs per game. The 5-foot-9 native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, posted a season-high 38 assists in MSU’s 3-1 loss to Nevada at the 12th Annual Holiday Inn Classic. Buettner has posted three double-doubles this fall to pace the Bobcat squad. She registered a season-best 12 digs against Wichita State. Last weekend, Buettner posted 41 assists (5.86 apg), seven kills, five digs and three blocks. Buettner also matched a career-high with six kills against Northern Arizona. Against the Lumberjacks, she went 6-0-11 for a .600 attack mark. Buettner also matched a career-high three blocks at Northern Colorado on Thursday evening.
OH HENDRY:
Redshirt freshman Kyla Hendry has been hampered with an injury this season and has seen limited action. The 6-foot-1 middle blocker from Lanigan, Saskatchewan, has played in three matches, including two games against Bradley.
A SHIRT OF A DIFFERENT COLOR:
Three true freshmen are redshirting this season. The trio includes Meghan Albiston, a 5-foot-5 libero from Idaho Falls, Idaho; Wendy Doutre, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter from Sparks, Nevada; and Maria Peterson, a 5-foot-10 setter from Corvallis, Mont.
PACKIN’ ‘EM IN:
Montana State has been ranked among the top 30 in attendance at the NCAA Division I level for the past five seasons. The Bobcats are on track to remain in the country’s top 30, once again this fall. Currently, the Bobcats are averaging 964 fans in Shroyer Gym. Although down from previous seasons, MSU currently ranks No. 28, just behind the Tigers of Clemson. Montana State has had three matches with over 1,000 fans, including a season-high 1,357 in attendance last Saturday against Idaho State. The Bobcats hold the Big Sky Conference and State of Montana all-time volleyball attendance mark of 6,378 fans, set on Nov. 15, 2002 in Worthington Arena.
HIGH IN THE SKY, STATISTICALLY SPEAKING:
In all matches as a team, the Bobcats rank: seventh in hitting percentage (.170), eighth in assists (11.65), eighth in blocking (2.19), seventh in kills (13.24), eighth in service aces (1.43) and third in digs (16.96(). Individually, the following Bobcats are ranked among the Big Sky Conference’s best: Assists, Kami Buettner, 8th, 6.80 apg; Blocks, Angela Wiebe, 6th, 1.12 bpg; Kills, Kim Stonehouse, 9th, 3.33 kpg; Digs, Kandice Kelly, 2nd, 4.69 dpg.
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