Bobcats Win First Brawl of the Wild Tilt

Saturday, October 1

BOZEMAN

7 p.m.

Montana State University

3-10, 1-3

Montana

4-10, 1-3

Montana

Montana State

10/1/2016 10:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Montana State freshman and Bozeman product Caitlin Lonergan couldn’t have scripted a better Cat-Griz match for her first taste of the rivalry as she pounded down a match and career-high 17 kills to lift the Bobcats to a 22-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-22 win over Montana, Saturday night in front of 1,409 fans in Shroyer Gym.

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State freshman and Bozeman product Caitlin Lonergan couldn't have scripted a better Cat-Griz match for her first taste of the rivalry as she pounded down a match and career-high 17 kills to lift the Bobcats to a 22-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-22 win over Montana, Saturday night in front of 1,409 fans in Shroyer Gym.

With Montana State (3-10, 1-3) trailing 18-13 in the fourth set, the 6-2 outside hitter who led the Bozeman Hawks to the Montana Class AA state title last fall, recorded four kills and a service ace to give the Bobcats a 22-21 advantage. Montana (4-10, 1-3) tied the match at 22-all, but consecutive attack errors by the Grizzlies gave MSU a 24-22 lead. MSU libero Allyssa Rizzo finished off the match with a service ace.

"It was definitely a crazy atmosphere and every one of us thrived with how loud the crowd was," Lonergan said. "We came out with a ton of intensity and I feel that's what it came down, too."

Montana jumped out to an early 13-9 lead in the opening set and never relinquished its lead winning the game on a kill via McKenzie Kramer. The Grizzlies held an 11-10 advantage in the second stanza, before MSU blew the game open with an 11-1 run capped by an Alexandra Rader kill to even the match heading into intermission.

"We challenged our kids to stay tough throughout the entire match," said MSU head coach JJ Riley. "To get this win is huge, and obviously Cat-Griz is big, but we needed a win for our kids because they've been working so hard."

The Bobcats owned the third set, out-hitting the Grizzlies .114 to -.094. MSU also received a strong blocking effort by Lonergan and Audra Dugan. Natalie Passeck's kill gave the Bobcats the set win.

"I thought we did a nice job keeping our composure," Riley said. "We played loose and free and we were making some great defensive plays. We played with confidence and our blocking was on point and that slowed them down a little bit."

Aside from her 17 kills, Lonergan also added four blocks, five digs and two aces.

"It was funny, before the match we were talking about who to put out in that spot," Riley said. "And, we said, you know what, it's her (Lonergan) first chance to play Cat-Griz, home crowd, and I'm sure she's been waiting for this her whole life, so we gave her the nod and she stepped-up big time. It was fun to see her get the win in her first go with it."

Also contributing to the Bobcat attack were Passeck and Kiana Black with 10 kills each. MSU's setting duo of Katie Rutecki and Sydney Mathison dished out 26 and 16 assists, respectively.

Defensively, Rizzo guided the Cats with a match-high 19 digs, while Passeck added nine saves. Dugan led all players with seven blocks.

Montana was paced by Alexis Urbach with 11 kills and four blocks.

MSU will host Weber State next Thursday at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym.