Bobcat Comeback Falls Short; Still Alive for Big Sky Playoff Berth

Thursday, November 15

Sacramento, CA

7 p.m.

Montana State University

Sacramento State

Sarah Horton had a team-high 22 kills against Sacramento State.

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

Bobcat Comeback Falls Short; Still Alive for Big Sky Playoff Berth

11/15/2012 11:06:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Montana State’s effort to secure the final spot in the Big Sky Conference tournament next weekend came up short, as did its comeback attempt against Sacramento State as the Hornets posted a 32-30, 25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 15-5 win over the Bobcat volleyball team, Thursday night in the Capital City

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State's effort to secure the final spot in the Big Sky Conference tournament next weekend came up short, as did its comeback attempt against Sacramento State as the Hornets posted a 32-30, 25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 15-5 win over the Bobcat volleyball team, Thursday night in the Capital City.

With one match remaining on the season, a Bobcat win over Montana on Monday night in Missoula or a UM win over Sacramento State on Saturday night will give MSU its first postseason appearance since 2005.

“I like the fact that we still control our own destiny,” said MSU head coach Kyle Weindel. “We'll know Saturday night what we need to do to get into the tournament.”

Montana State (14-13, 8-11) and Sacramento State (11-18, 7-12) went toe-to-toe like two teams battling for the sixth and final tournament berth. The opening set featured 15 ties and the Bobcats held three sets points that the Hornets fought off. MSU also fended off two set points before Sacramento State put together a block and kill for the win.

The second and third stanzas also went down to the wire with the Hornets coming out on top in set two and the Bobcats winning set three on a Macy Page kill.

Montana State seemed to establish a consistent level of play in the fourth set building a 4-5 point cushion and carrying it through to the end to force a fifth and deciding set.

However, as quickly as MSU starting playing at a high level, the Bobcats saw its momentum dissipate in the fifth as Sacramento State jumped out to a 9-3 lead. MSU closed to within 9-5, but would get no closer.

“I thought we played well in the first four sets and were really in a nice rhythm on the offensive end,” Weindel said. “Unfortunately, when it came down to crunch time we disappeared. We're lucky that we have one more shot, and now that we've been in this position, we'll know to respond better.”

Sarah Horton led MSU with a match-high 22 kills, while Eli Svisco posted a career-best 17 kills and Page 14. Horton and Svisco also notched double-doubles adding 17 digs, apiece. Junior libero Nicole Baker recorded a season-high 29 digs, while Taylar Barney registered a team-best nine blocks to go along with nine kills. Senior setter Jennifer Lundquist dished out 59 assists in the loss.

Sacramento State was paced by Jessie Genger and Janelle Curry with 17 kills, each.

Montana State will close out its regular-season schedule at Montana on Monday night.