Bobcat Spikers Knock Idaho State from the Unbeaten

Friday, September 28

Bozeman

7 p.m.

Montana State University

Idaho State

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

9/28/2012 10:41:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Earlier this month, first-year Montana State head coach Kyle Weindel lauded MSU’s 3-2 come-from-behind win over Niagara as a defining moment in the 2012 season. On Friday night, the Bobcat volleyball team gave Weindel another significant moment as Montana State knocked off previously undefeated Idaho State 3-2 in Shroyer Gym.

By: Tom Schulz

Earlier this month, first-year Montana State head coach Kyle Weindel lauded MSU's 3-2 come-from-behind win over Niagara as a defining moment in the 2012 season.

On Friday night, the Bobcat volleyball team gave Weindel another significant moment as Montana State knocked off previously undefeated Idaho State 25-21, 25-23, 21-25, 22-25, 15-12 in Shroyer Gym.

“We played tough start-to-finish,” Weindel said. “It was the most consistent we've been from set one to set five all season.”

Montana State (9-4, 3-2) jumped out early taking a 19-13 advantage on a Sarah Horton kill. The Bobcats closed out the stanza on a kill via Natalee Godfrey.

Idaho State (10-4, 4-1) got the lead in the second set staking a 16-11 margin before the Bobcats rattled off 7-1 run to get a one-point lead following an ISU hitting error. The two teams traded points until MSU pulled away at 23-all, taking the set on two consecutive Bengal errors.

MSU was sparked in the first two sets by Horton and Macy Page with nine and seven kills, respectively.

“I thought we did a nice job with our passing and blocking in the first two sets,” Weindel said. “Idaho State made us work for everything and it didn't come easy.”

ISU stormed out of intermission taking the next two sets to even the match at 2-2. The Bengals used strong serving and blocking to get back into the contest and out-hit the Bobcats .320 to .253.

In the fifth and deciding set, the Bobcats got out to a 5-3 advantage, but Idaho State quickly answered with a 4-1 run. Horton then notched a service ace and added a kill to give MSU an 8-7 lead at the switch. With the set tied at 8-all, MSU scored three consecutive points, including another kill from Horton. ISU closed to within 14-12, but a Page kill gave MSU the win.

The Bobcats are now 5-1 in five-set matches.

“Each day we put the kids in a drill to simulate playing in a fifth set,” Weindel said. “We come into matches knowing it might go that far. I really like our confidence and the fact that we're playing to the last point.”

Horton paced three Bobcats in double-figures with 22 kills. Page added 19 and freshman Eli Svisco chipped in 12. Both Horton and Svisco notched double-doubles with 18 and 15 digs, respectively.

Bobcat setter Jennifer Lundquist also posted a double-double matching a career-high 57 assists, while recording 13 digs. MSU libero Nicole Baker had a team-best 20 digs.

Senior Taylar Barney paced MSU at the net with a match-high eight blocks, while Page notched five in the front row, as well.

For the match, the Bobcats held advantages in kills, hitting percentage and assists.

ISU was paced by Alydia Fields with 16 kills and seven digs.

Montana State will host Weber State on Saturday night in Shroyer Gym.