Montana State Seniors Pace Bobcats to Victory

Friday, November 18

Bozeman

7:00 PM

Montana State University

WEBER STATE

Senior Alex Penewell had seven kills, hit . 375 and added five blocks as the Bobcats defeated Weber State 3-0, Friday night in Shroyer Gym.

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

11/18/2011 9:42:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Montana State’s senior class accounted for all but 14 kills to pace the Bobcats to a 25-23, 25-22, 25-20 sweep of Weber State, Friday night in Shroyer Gym.

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State's senior class accounted for all but 14 kills to pace the Bobcats to a 25-23, 25-22, 25-20 sweep of Weber State, Friday night in Shroyer Gym.

“Our seniors got it done,” said MSU head coach Sara Schaub. “Alex Penewell had some clutch hits, and we were firing on all cylinders.”

Penewell finished the match with seven kills, while hitting .375 from the field. The native of Newport Beach, Calif., also led the Bobcats with a match-high five blocks.

The rest of MSU's senior contingent also contributed to the Bobcats' first Big Sky sweep and win in Shroyer Gym since defeating Sacramento State 3-0 on Oct. 15, 2010. Rachelle Allen led Montana State (5-23, 3-12) with a team-high 10 kills, while Chelsea Oemcke added 8 and Lauren Curtis 4.

The Bobcats used consistent passing and serving to propel them to the win.

“This was a total team effort,” Schaub said. “Everyone showed up and played a role.

“I thought Kasey Schlatter had her best match of the season,” Schaub said. “It doesn't show in the stats, but what she did passing and serving really helped us tremendously.”

Bobcat setter Jennifer Lundquist dished out 32 assists, while chipping in seven kills, five digs and two blocks.

MSU libero Nicole Baker finished with a match-high 13 digs. Baker is now just six saves away from establishing a new MSU single-season mark for digs. The current record of 495 was set by Kandice Kelly in 2005.

For the match, MSU hit .248 from the field, while holding Weber State (3-25, 3-12) to .170. The Bobcats also held a 43-40 kill advantage.

Weber State was led by Bethany Wray with 17 kills and five digs.

Montana State will conclude its season against Idaho State on Saturday night.