Montana State Spikers Drop Pair to Open 2011 Campaign

Friday, August 26

Statesboro, GA

10:00 AM

Montana State University

JACKSONVILLE

Senior Rachelle Allen

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

8/26/2011 8:14:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

The Montana State volleyball squad opened its 2011 dropping a pair of matches at the Georgia Southern-Spring Hill Suites Invitational, Friday afternoon.

By: Tom Schulz

The Montana State volleyball squad opened its 2011 dropping a pair of matches at the Georgia Southern-Spring Hill Suites Invitational, Friday afternoon.

Montana State (0-2) rallied from a 2-0 deficit in its season opener against Jacksonville to even the match at 2-all. However, the Dolphins jumped to a quick 11-2 margin in the fifth set and cruised to the victory. JU posted a 25-14, 25-16, 18-25, 20-25, 15-7 victory.

“It took us a little while to get going,” said MSU fourth-year head coach Sara Schaub. “But, once we did, I thought we got into a nice rhythm and did some good things. Unfortunately, we weren't able to sustain our level of play into the final set.”

Rachelle Allen and Sarah Horton paced MSU with 11 kills each, while Alex Penewell, the 2010 Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year, added eight kills, a .500 attack mark and four blocks. Allen recorded a double-double with 14 digs, while sophomore Nicole Baker paced all Bobcats with 16 saves.

In its second match, South Dakota State handed MSU a 25-21, 25-18, 21-25, 25-18 setback.

“We played toe-to-toe with South Dakota State, a program that has a lot of upperclassmen and is ranked high in their conference, but in the end, just made too many mental mistakes,” Schaub said. “That can be fixed, and we are excited about Saturday's matches.”

Allen again paced the Bobcats with 15 kills and 11 digs, while Horton chipped in 11 kills and nine digs. Baker posted a match-high 20 digs.

MSU will face Stephen F. Austin and Georgia Southern on Saturday.