Bobcat Spikers Open Big Sky Slate at Home
9/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Schedule:
Big Sky Conference Opening Weekend:
Friday, Sept. 19 -- Northern Arizona at Montana State, 7 pm
Saturday, Sept. 20 -- Northern Colorado at Montana State, 7 pm
Web Video Streaming: www.bigskytv.org
Up Next:
The Montana State volleyball team will open its 2008 Big Sky Conference season when it hosts Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado this weekend in the friendly confines of Shroyer Gym. The Bobcats will look to snap a 20-match Big Sky Conference losing streak against Northern Arizona. Ironically, MSU’s last league victory came against NAU on Oct. 26, 2006 in a 3-1 win over the Lumberjacks. Montana State’s last win in a Big Sky opener was on Sept. 25, 2003 when the Bobcats upended Idaho State 3-0 in Shroyer Gym. MSU enters this weekend with an overall mark of 3-7- triple the amount of victories from the 2007 campaign. The Bobcats have recorded wins over Portland, Air Force and Akron. Northern Arizona enters Friday night’s match with a Big Sky Conference best 8-1 overall mark. NAU’s lone loss was a 3-1 decision to Fresno State. Northern Colorado, who will play at Montana on Friday night before traveling to Bozeman, is 6-1 overall with its lone loss coming to No. Dakota State.
Looking At The Big Sky Conference Opener:
The Bobcats face Northern Arizona and the University of Northern Colorado to open Big Sky Conference play. Northern Arizona currently has the league’s best non-conference mark with an 8-1 ledger. The Lumberjacks are 6-1 on their home court and captured its own tournament title last weekend with victories over Hampton, Navy and Duquesne. NAU’s lone loss was a 3-1 decision to Fresno State. Like Montana State, the Lumberjacks are under the direction of a new head coach, as Craig Choate take over the reins. Choate last served as head coach at San Jose State (1992-2006). On the court, Northern Arizona is led by freshman Lexi Sullivan, a 6-0 outside hitter, who averages a Big Sky best 4.03 kills per set. Defensively, libero Brittany Stowers is averaging a league-best 6.32 saves per game. Northern Colorado will play at Montana before making the trip south on I-90. The Bears are currently 6-1 overall under the direction of fourth-year head coach Lyndsey Benson. Northern Colorado enters the weekend with one of the most potent offenses in the Big Sky. The Bears lead the league in team hitting percentage at .268, while holding their opponents to .116. UNC is paced by Kenzie Shreeve and Allison Raguse, who average 3.43 and 2.92 kills per set, respectively.
The Week That Was:
The Montana State volleyball team went 0-3 at the Washington State-Cougar Challenge over the weekend. Big Ten opponent Northwestern handed the Bobcats a 25-16, 25-18, 25-12 loss in the opener. MSU was led by Kaytlin Van Burger and Nicole Grypiuk with eight kills apiece. Washington State posted a 25-21, 25-23, 25-20 win over the ‘Cats on Saturday morning. MSU hit just .125 as a team; however, Van Burger tallied a credible .333 attack mark with eight kills. In its final match of the tournament, MSU faced its second Top 25 team of the season as No. 18 Wichita State recorded a 25-18, 25-16, 25-22 victory. Once again, the Bobcat attack was paced by Van Burger with eight kills, while Jodeen Rademacher and Grypiuk added seven and six kills, respectively. Libero Meghan Albiston had 38 digs on the weekend.
Stand Up and Cheer:
Despite its 1-27 overall record and 0-12 home slate, the Bobcats averaged 840 fans per game, which was the best in the Big Sky Conference. MSU drew a season-best 1,287 for the annual ‘Cat-Griz match. Montana State averaged 755 fans last weekend.
Player of the Week:
Senior Kaytlin Van Burger is MSU’s Player of the Week for her efforts at the Washington State-Cougar Challenge, last weekend. Van Burger averaged 2.67 kills per set, while hitting .224 from the field. In addition, she added four totals blocks. The Bend, Ore., native also posted two matches hitting .300 or better.
Stat of the Week:
The Bobcats will look to snap their 20-match Big Sky Conference losing streak this weekend.
For this week's complete volleyball release click on the 'PDF Version Available' link at the top of this page.
Big Sky Conference Opening Weekend:
Friday, Sept. 19 -- Northern Arizona at Montana State, 7 pm
Saturday, Sept. 20 -- Northern Colorado at Montana State, 7 pm
Web Video Streaming: www.bigskytv.org
Up Next:
The Montana State volleyball team will open its 2008 Big Sky Conference season when it hosts Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado this weekend in the friendly confines of Shroyer Gym. The Bobcats will look to snap a 20-match Big Sky Conference losing streak against Northern Arizona. Ironically, MSU’s last league victory came against NAU on Oct. 26, 2006 in a 3-1 win over the Lumberjacks. Montana State’s last win in a Big Sky opener was on Sept. 25, 2003 when the Bobcats upended Idaho State 3-0 in Shroyer Gym. MSU enters this weekend with an overall mark of 3-7- triple the amount of victories from the 2007 campaign. The Bobcats have recorded wins over Portland, Air Force and Akron. Northern Arizona enters Friday night’s match with a Big Sky Conference best 8-1 overall mark. NAU’s lone loss was a 3-1 decision to Fresno State. Northern Colorado, who will play at Montana on Friday night before traveling to Bozeman, is 6-1 overall with its lone loss coming to No. Dakota State.
Looking At The Big Sky Conference Opener:
The Bobcats face Northern Arizona and the University of Northern Colorado to open Big Sky Conference play. Northern Arizona currently has the league’s best non-conference mark with an 8-1 ledger. The Lumberjacks are 6-1 on their home court and captured its own tournament title last weekend with victories over Hampton, Navy and Duquesne. NAU’s lone loss was a 3-1 decision to Fresno State. Like Montana State, the Lumberjacks are under the direction of a new head coach, as Craig Choate take over the reins. Choate last served as head coach at San Jose State (1992-2006). On the court, Northern Arizona is led by freshman Lexi Sullivan, a 6-0 outside hitter, who averages a Big Sky best 4.03 kills per set. Defensively, libero Brittany Stowers is averaging a league-best 6.32 saves per game. Northern Colorado will play at Montana before making the trip south on I-90. The Bears are currently 6-1 overall under the direction of fourth-year head coach Lyndsey Benson. Northern Colorado enters the weekend with one of the most potent offenses in the Big Sky. The Bears lead the league in team hitting percentage at .268, while holding their opponents to .116. UNC is paced by Kenzie Shreeve and Allison Raguse, who average 3.43 and 2.92 kills per set, respectively.
The Week That Was:
The Montana State volleyball team went 0-3 at the Washington State-Cougar Challenge over the weekend. Big Ten opponent Northwestern handed the Bobcats a 25-16, 25-18, 25-12 loss in the opener. MSU was led by Kaytlin Van Burger and Nicole Grypiuk with eight kills apiece. Washington State posted a 25-21, 25-23, 25-20 win over the ‘Cats on Saturday morning. MSU hit just .125 as a team; however, Van Burger tallied a credible .333 attack mark with eight kills. In its final match of the tournament, MSU faced its second Top 25 team of the season as No. 18 Wichita State recorded a 25-18, 25-16, 25-22 victory. Once again, the Bobcat attack was paced by Van Burger with eight kills, while Jodeen Rademacher and Grypiuk added seven and six kills, respectively. Libero Meghan Albiston had 38 digs on the weekend.
Stand Up and Cheer:
Despite its 1-27 overall record and 0-12 home slate, the Bobcats averaged 840 fans per game, which was the best in the Big Sky Conference. MSU drew a season-best 1,287 for the annual ‘Cat-Griz match. Montana State averaged 755 fans last weekend.
Player of the Week:
Senior Kaytlin Van Burger is MSU’s Player of the Week for her efforts at the Washington State-Cougar Challenge, last weekend. Van Burger averaged 2.67 kills per set, while hitting .224 from the field. In addition, she added four totals blocks. The Bend, Ore., native also posted two matches hitting .300 or better.
Stat of the Week:
The Bobcats will look to snap their 20-match Big Sky Conference losing streak this weekend.
For this week's complete volleyball release click on the 'PDF Version Available' link at the top of this page.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
