Friday, October 7
Pocatello, ID
7:00 PM
Montana State University
at
IDAHO STATE
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Bobcat Spikers Travel to Idaho State, Weber State
10/5/2011 3:26:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
After a brief three-match home stand, the Montana State volleyball team will hit the road this weekend with stops in Pocatello, Idaho and Ogden, Utah.
For this week's complete volleyball release, click here (pdf)
ON THE ROAD AGAIN:
After a brief three-match home stand, the Montana State volleyball team will hit the road this weekend with stops in Pocatello, Idaho and Ogden, Utah. The Bobcats will open the weekend on Friday at Idaho State in Reed Gym. MSU will conclude the weekend at Weber State on Saturday in Swenson Gymnasium. Both matches start at 7 p.m. To follow the action, fans can watch the free, live video stream at www.B2tv.com.
THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS:
The Montana State volleyball team dropped a 25-18, 25-23, 25-15 decision to Montana on Friday in front of 1,541 fans in Shroyer Gym. Montana hit .265 from the floor, while holding MSU to .082. The Griz broke away from an 11-10 lead in the opening set with six unanswered points to cruise to the win. In the second stanza, MSU held a 19-16 margin before UM answered with a 5-0 run. The set was tied at 21, 22 and 23, but a Bobcat service error and hitting miscue gave UM the 25-23 win. The final set was all Montana as the Griz hit .385 from the floor, while the Bobcats hit .029. MSU was led by Rachelle Allen with eight kills, while Macy Page and Sarah Horton added six apiece. Nicole Baker posted a match-high 20 digs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
* Nicole Baker - 5-7, So., Libero, Pleasanton, California
Nicole Baker continues her outstanding play as MSU's starting libero...is currently ranked fourth averaging 4.37 digs per set in both overall and Big Sky matches...posted match-high 20 digs against Montana, averaging 6.67 per game...has been in double-digit digs in 14 of 15 matches...has three +20 digs matches this fall.
* Rachelle Allen - 6-0, Sr., Outside Hitter, Longmont, Colorado
Allen was Montana State's top offensive threat last Friday against Montana...had a team-high eight kills against the Griz...also added eight digs, a block and a service ace...is second on the team averaging 2.40 kills and 2.80 digs per set...posted a season-high 15 kills against South Dakota State.
THE SCOUTING REPORT:
Idaho State (8-7, 2-2) is currently sitting fifth in Big Sky action. Breanne Van Every leads the Bengals with 3.17 kills per set in league action followed closely by Alydia Fields (2.28) and Danielle Downs (2.17). Lori Mendenhall is averaging 9.06 assists per set, while Kylee Searle is averaging a team-best 5.33 digs per set. Vanessa Muir leads ISU's front row defensive effort with 21 league blocks. The Bengals have won six of their last eight matches having only dropped five set contests against Eastern Washington and Sacramento State. Like Montana State, Weber State (0-16, 0-4) is looking for its first win of the season. The Wildcats are under the direction of first-year head coach Tom Peterson. WSU is paced this season by Bethany Wray, who is averaging 3.37 kills and 2.13 digs per set. Weber State will host Montana, before meeting the Bobcats on Saturday night.
QUICK SETS:
Montana State libero Nicole Baker is currently ranked fourth overall in the Big Sky averaging 4.37 digs per set...Baker's 20 saves against Montana is the highest total in the Big Sky Conference for a three-set match...in addition, Baker is the top sophomore in the Big Sky Conference in terms of digs with a 4.37 average...the Bobcats will look to snap a 24-match losing streak and a 13-match Big Sky Conference slide this weekend...Montana State's last victory came on Oct. 15, 2010 with a 3-0 sweep of Sacramento State in Shroyer Gym...Senior Chelsea Oemcke is currently ranked sixth in the Big Sky Conference in hitting percentage with a .301 attack mark...junior setter Jennifer Lundquist is currently listed fifth in the league, averaging 8.31 assists per game.
ALL-TIME SERIES:
Idaho State, behind 10 consecutive victories over the Bobcats, hold a 33-28 edge in the all-time series dating back to the 1978 season. Last year, the Bengals swept Montana State and are 6-0 against MSU during Sara Schaub's tenure with the Bobcats. MSU's last win over ISU came on Nov. 17, 2005 when the Bobcats defeated the Bengals in semifinal action of the Big Sky tournament in Sacramento, Calif. Weber State holds a 32-28 advantage in the series going back to the 1979 season. The two teams split last fall- each winning on the others floor.
GOLD DIGGER:
Montana State sophomore libero Nicole Baker has been in double-digit digs in 14 of MSU's 15 matches this season. She is averaging 4.37 digs per set, which ranks fourth in the Big Sky. Baker needs just 108 more digs to break into Montana State's all-time top 10 for a single-season.
DIGGING MACHINES:
The one statistical area that has seen improvement this season for the Bobcats is on defense. As a team, Montana State is averaging 14.23 digs per set. In all, four Bobcats have posted 100 or more digs so far this fall. Libero Nicole Baker has notched 249 saves and is followed by Rachelle Allen (140), Kasey Schlatter (118) and Sarah Horton (111).
CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR:
In 18 of Montana State's sets this season the Bobcats have been the first to 20-points. MSU has won 12 of the 18 sets in which they had the lead at 20-points. MSU has dropped all four of its five-set matches this fall.
CO-CAPTAINS:
Seniors Rachelle Allen and Alex Penewell have been named co-captains for the 2011 season. Allen, who was an All Big Sky Conference Honorable Mention pick last fall, is averaging 2.40 kills and 2.80 digs per set, while Penewell, who was the Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year last season, is chipping in 1.23 kills and has posted 29 total blocks.
SPREADING THE LOVE:
Eight Bobcats are currently averaging anywhere from 1.17 - 2.57 kills per set. The balanced attack is led by Sarah Horton, who is averaging a team-best 2.57 kps. Rachelle Allen is also over the 2.00 kill plateau at 2.40 per stanza.
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