Big Play Eludes Bobcat Spikers in Loss to Hornets

Saturday, October 13

Bozeman

7 p.m.

Montana State University

Sacramento State

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

10/13/2012 10:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

By: Tom Schulz

The Montana State volleyball team never got the big play when it needed it the most as Sacramento State fended off numerous set points to post an 18-25, 25-14, 28-26, 27-25 win over the Bobcats, Saturday night in front of a season-high 1,289 fans in Shroyer Gym.

Montana State (11-6, 5-4) looked unstoppable in the opening set, storming out to a 20-10 advantage, winning the frame on a Macy Page kill.

Sacramento State (7-12, 3-7) quickly turned the table in the second stanza, out-hitting the Bobcats .370 to .054.

The third set featured 12 ties and four lead changes with MSU taking charge at 22-19 following a Hornet hitting error. Sacramento State countered with three straight points. The score was knotted twice before the Bobcats held set point at 24-23 following a Sarah Horton kill, but a Kayla Beal kill tied the score at 24-all.

The Bobcats reclaimed the lead a 25-24 on a Beal hitting error. Beal then posted a kill to tie the score again at 25-all. MSU staved off a Sacramento State set-point at 26-25 with a Horton kill, but the Hornets received back-to-back kills from Janelle Currey to take a 2-1 match advantage.

“When we needed a play we didn't get it,” said MSU first-year head coach Kyle Weindel. “When we needed to separate ourselves, we didn't get it done, and everyone was guilty.”

Montana State appeared to have the fourth set in hand to force a fifth and deciding game owning a 24-20 advantage following a Horton winner. However, Sacramento State posted five consecutive points, before a Sydney Kordic service error stop the run at 25-all. The Hornets then received back-to-back kills from Beal and Currey to win the match.

“It just seemed like it was just one thing after another – a bad pass, a hitting error, a missed dig, etc.,” Weindel said. “We'll start refocusing for Montana. I know Montana will come in here and give us their best shot on Monday night.”

Horton paced the Bobcats with 20 kills and 12 digs, while Page finished with 16 kills and five blocks. Defensively, Nicole Baker posted a team-best 17 digs, while Kasey Schlatter added 13 saves.

Currey finished with 20 kills and 14 digs for the Hornets.

MSU will host intra-state rival Montana on Monday night at 7 p.m., in Shroyer Gym.