Bobcat Spikers Drop Big Sky Opener

Friday, September 20

Bozeman, MT

7 p.m.

Montana State University

2-10, 0-1

North Dakota

5-7, 1-0

North Dakota

Montana State

Natalee Godfrey (13) and Kennadie Clute (11) combined for nine blocks against North Dakota. In addition, Clute posted a season and match-high 28 kills.

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

9/20/2013 9:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State hitting miscues, coupled with service errors gave North Dakota 39 points as UND posted a 25-12, 25-22, 20-25, 25-14 win over the Bobcats, Friday night in the Big Sky Conference opener for both clubs.

North Dakota (5-7, 1-0) hit .279 from the field, while limiting Montana State (2-10, 0-1) to .172 from the floor. The Bobcats finished the match with 27 hitting errors and 12 service errors. In addition, UND ended with a 45-34 advantage in digs.

"We need to get better behind the block," said second-year MSU head coach Kyle Weindel. "We're struggling to find some points from positions other than our left-sides. Our left-sides can't carry us every night."

MSU's left-side duo of freshmen Kennadie Clute and Loni Kreun had a solid outing against UND. Clute finished with a season and match-high 28 kills, while hitting .316 from the field, while Kreun added 12 kills.

Montana State had its best set of the match in the third stanza as the Bobcats out-hit UND .405 to .071 behind 11 kills via Clute. In the three set losses, North Dakota hit at a .349 clip, while MSU hit a paltry .082.

"We're searching for consistency," Weindel said. "We need to put multiple sets together in a row if we want to have success."

Senior libero Nicole Baker paced MSU defensively with 14 digs, while Clute and Natalee Godfrey added five and four blocks, respectively. Freshman setter Anna Sykora dished out 41 assists.

UND was led by Ronni Munkeby with 13 kills and three blocks.

Montana State will host Northern Arizona on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym.