Bobcat Spikers Fall to Big Sky Preseason Favorite

Saturday, September 15

Greeley, CO

7 p.m.

Montana State University

Northern Colorado

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

9/15/2012 10:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Montana State’s quest for a Big Sky Conference road sweep came up short as Big Sky Conference preseason favorite Northern Colorado handed the Bobcat volleyball team a 25-19, 25-17, 19-25, 25-17 setback Saturday night in Butler-Hancock Pavilion.

By: Tom Schulz

BOXSCORE: Northern Colorado 3, Montana State 2 (pdf)

Montana State's quest for a Big Sky Conference road sweep came up short as Big Sky Conference preseason favorite Northern Colorado handed the Bobcat volleyball team a 25-19, 25-17, 19-25, 25-17 setback Saturday night in Butler-Hancock Pavilion.

Freshman Eli Svisco returned to her native Colorado and paced Montana State (7-3, 1-1) with 12 kills, while hitting .250 from the field and adding nine digs and two blocks. Also in double-digit kills for MSU were Macy Page and Sarah Horton with 12 and 11 kills, respectively.

“We didn't sustain a consistent level of volleyball,” said MSU head coach Kyle Weindel. “We got going in set three and really did a nice job controlling the set; however, we need to do that over a longer period of time.”

Also contributing to the Montana State attack was Taylar Barney with seven kills and a team-best .438 attack. Setter Jennifer Lundquist dished out 39 assists and added seven digs. Libero Nicole Baker registered a match-high 12 digs, while true freshman Natalee Godfrey led MSU at the net with four blocks.

Northern Colorado (9-3, 2-0) was led by Kelley Arnold with 12 kills and eight digs.

“We had a good weekend, and winning a conference match on the road is huge,” Weindel said. “We've been on the road for four straight weeks and to come out with a 7-3 record is a testament to how well our kids are playing.

“We're looking forward to being in front of our crowd in Shroyer Gym,” Weindel added.

MSU will host its season home opener against Eastern Washington on Thursday, Sept. 20.