Bobcat Spikers Fall to Big Sky Leader in Four

Saturday, September 22

Bozeman

7 p.m.

Montana State University

Portland State

Sarah Horton had a team-high 13 kills against Portland State.

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

9/22/2012 10:29:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

By: Tom Schulz

The Montana State volleyball team got the start they wanted; however, their inability to be consistent over the course of the match resulted in a 16-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-22 loss to Big Sky Conference leader Portland State, Saturday night in front of 1,001 fans in Shroyer Gym.

“Portland State was more consistent,” said MSU first-year head coach Kyle Weindel. “We had too many hitting, blocking and ball-handling errors to be effective.”

Montana State (8-4, 2-2) roared out to a quick start in the opening set, out-hitting the Vikings .519 to .167. MSU was paced by senior Macy Page with five kills.

In the second stanza, the Vikings grabbed the momentum, which they held for the rest of the match. PSU out-hit MSU .252 to .107 in the final three sets.

“I told them the sun will come out tomorrow and we're still 8-4 and .500 in league play,” Weindel said. “We didn't capitalize on the long rallies. We need to play like we're ahead.”

Sarah Horton guided the Bobcats with a team-best 13 kills, while Page added 12 and Eli Svisco 10. MSU also got a good boost from freshman Natalee Godfrey, who finished with nine kills, a team-best .571 attack mark and a team-high five blocks.

“We worked this week on getting Natalee more involved,” Weindel said. “It was nice to see her have a good match.”

Defensively, Nicole Baker led the Bobcats with a match-high 18 digs, while Svisco posted her second double-double of the year with 10 saves.

Portland State (8-7, 4-0) was paced by Megan Ellis with 19 kills and 13 digs.

MSU will host Idaho State next Friday in Shroyer Gym.