Bobcat Spikers Drop Home Opener

Saturday, September 27

Bozeman, MT

7 pm

Montana State University

3-11, 0-2Big Sky

University of Montana

2-12, 2-0Big Sky

Montana

Montana State

Eli Svisco had a match-high 14 kills against Montana on Saturday night.

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

9/27/2014 11:27:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

“We stopped doing the things that made us successful in sets one and two,” MSU Head Coach Kyle Weindel said. “Credit Montana for hanging in there, and working hard. We became too complacent and the momentum turned.”

By: Tom Schulz

After playing its first 12 matches on the road, the Montana State volleyball team returned to the confines of Shroyer Gym for its home-opener against rival Montana to kick off the annual Brawl of the Wild series, Saturday night.

MSU jumped out to a quick 25-16, 25-21 advantage heading into intermission. However, it was all Montana in the final three games as the Grizzlies rallied for the 3-2 win (16-25, 21-25, 25-18, 25-22, 15-12) in front of 1,504 fans.

"We stopped doing the things that made us successful in sets one and two," MSU Head Coach Kyle Weindel said. "Credit Montana for hanging in there, and working hard. We became too complacent and the momentum turned."

Montana State (3-11, 0-2) had four players in double-figure kills paced by Eli Svisco 14, Kennadie Clute 13, Loni Kreun 11 and Natalee Godfrey 10. MSU held advantages in kills, assists, hitting percentage and digs, but the Grizzlies doubled-up MSU in blocks.

Defensively, MSU was guided by Kasey Schlatter with a match-high 22 digs, while Kreun and Katie Harrington chipped in 17 and 12 saves, respectively.

Montana (2-12, 2-0) was led by Capri Richardson and Claire McCown with 12 kills each.

"We'll need to regroup on Monday and get ready for Northern Colorado and North Dakota next weekend," Weindel added.

MSU will host Northern Colorado on Friday, Oct. 3