Bobcat Spikers End Season at Big Sky Tournament

Friday, November 23

Greeley, CO

9 a.m.

Montana State University

Northern Arizona University

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

11/23/2012 5:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

By: Tom Schulz

A seven-year drought from the Big Sky Conference postseason tournament ended abruptly for the Montana State volleyball team as Northern Arizona swept the Bobcats 25-20, 25-19, 25-17, Saturday morning in the opening-round of the league dance hosted by Northern Colorado.

Montana State's (15-14) hitting errors cost the Bobcats a victory in its first Big Sky appearance since 2005. For the match, MSU hit .103, connecting on 35 kills, but committing 23 errors. Northern Arizona (24-6) hit .245 from the field with just 11 miscues.

“It was a bittersweet experience,” said MSU head coach Kyle Weindel. “We just didn't show up this morning. It seemed every time we were ready to make a move, we'd commit some kind of error, whether it be hitting, serving, ball-handling and so on.

“On the other hand, I couldn't be more proud of how this team played this season,” Weindel said. “They exceeded my expectations and for our three seniors to get to play in the Big Sky Conference tournament is a testament to their perseverance and desire to become better.”

Junior Sarah Horton, who garnered first-team all-conference accolades on Thursday, paced the Bobcats with 13 kills and 11 digs. MSU's middle blocking tandem of Taylar Barney and Natalee Godfrey combined for 13 kills, while hitting over .300 and adding nine blocks. Senior Jennifer Lundquist dished out 29 assists and added eight digs and two blocks, while junior libero Nicole Baker recording a team-best 13 digs. Senior Macy Page completed her career with six kills and five digs. Page was named all-conference honorable mention.

“We'll certainly miss our three seniors,” Weindel said. “And now the returners have a taste for postseason, and they'll head into the off-season with the mindset of becoming better and setting the bar even higher.”

Heading into the tournament, Montana State had made the second biggest jump in the RPI ranking at the NCAA Division I level from the previous season. MSU's 15 victories are the most since 2005 and its winning record is the best since the 2004 squad went 19-8 overall.