Bobcat Spikers Upset Bid Falls Short

Friday, November 4

Missoula, MT

7:00 PM

Montana State University

MONTANA

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

11/4/2011 10:52:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

By: Tom Schulz

Despite holding a 2-1 lead and a 19-14 advantage in the fourth set, the Montana State volleyball team was unable to stave off a late Montana rally as the Grizzlies posted a 25-18, 16-25, 22-25, 25-21, 15-8 win over the Bobcats, Friday night in the West Auxiliary Gym.

After dropping the opening set, the next two stanzas belonged to Montana State (3-21, 2-11) as the Bobcats out-hit Montana (9-12, 6-7) .136 to .033. MSU's momentum over the two sets was sparked by Alex Penewell and Lauren Curtis with five kills, apiece.

Following a Chelsea Oemcke kill, a UM hitting error and a Grizzly timeout, the Bobcats held a 19-14 advantage in the fourth set. However, the margin was short-lived as Montana went on an 11-2 run to force a fifth and deciding set.

In the final stanza, MSU got out to a quick 2-1 lead following an Oemcke service ace. Montana countered with an 11-4 run to put the match away.

Penewell paced the Bobcats with a team-high 12 kills, while Sarah Horton added a double-double with 11 kills and 17 digs.

MSU was led defensively by Nicole Baker with a team-best 19 digs, while Jennifer Lundquist 12 and Shayne Kybartas 10 also had double-digit saves.

In addition to nine kills, Oemcke led the Bobcats at the net with five blocks. She also added a match-high three aces. MSU setter Jennifer Lundquist finished with 42 assists and 12 digs for her fifth double-double of the year.

Montana State will play at Sacramento State next Thursday night.