Dana Vestman (l) and Natalie Passeck celebrate a Bobcat point.
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Youthful Enthusiasm: Bobcat Volleyball Squad Begins 2016 Campaign
8/10/2016 4:54:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Second-year head coach JJ Riley along with assistant coaches Daniel Jones and Stephanie Grandits spent the off-season upgrading the Montana State volleyball roster. On Tuesday afternoon, the trio welcomed back seven letterwinners and eight newcomers as the Bobcats opened its fall drills.
Second-year head coach JJ Riley along with assistant coaches Daniel Jones and Stephanie Grandits spent the off-season upgrading the Montana State volleyball roster. On Tuesday afternoon, the trio welcomed back seven letterwinners and eight newcomers as the Bobcats opened its fall drills.
"We were pretty excited at this time last season," Riley said. "Everything was so new."
MSU ended up 3-21 overall and 1-15 in Big Sky play, notching its only league victory over rival Montana.
This season, however, Riley is looking for the Bobcats to use its youth and enthusiasm as a springboard to success.
"This group has a whole different feel," Riley commented. "Everyone's coming in with a clean slate. Last year, there was some history. With the addition of our new athletes there is less issues and we have a good, solid vibe. Our kids are hungry and excited for the season. We're eager to find out what we have."
Leading the Bobcats will be fifth-year senior Eli Svisco. Svisco, who suffered an ankle injury and missed the entire Big Sky Conference season last fall, will be a four-year starter for Montana State.
"It was a big blow when Eli went down," Riley said. "We missed her leadership and it stung. Fast-forward, it's great to have her here this season. Her stability will help the young pups along."
Riley will also look to upperclassmen Alex Rader and Dana Vestman to bring the squad up to speed.
"Dana and Alex bring a good, solid focus to the top of our roster," Riley said. "Natalie Passeck and Chase Doughty are also ready to go and Libbey (Fellows) brings a solid work-ethic to the gym. In the middle, we will be relying on Kiana Black a lot. Our upperclassmen all bring something different to the court."
Six freshmen and two junior college transfers make up MSU's newcomers. The contingent is one of the largest influx of talent to enter the Bobcat program at one time. Riley is hesitant to single out any of his first-year student-athletes as possible impact players.
"The first few weeks of camp are always interesting," Riley said. "We had some perceptions of personalities heading into Tuesday. It's great to see everyone contributing. They are doing a nice job of communicating and they're giddy in a good way. Everyone is buying-in and we have a very committed team."
Montana State will continue two-a-day practices until its first tournament at Air Force on Aug. 26. The Bobcats will also have tournaments at Denver and Nebraska in non-conference action.
"Our schedule is going to be good," Riley said. "Every tournament will get a little harder. We have a nice break between Denver and Nebraska. It will allow us to focus on training, which is something you don't get to do a lot of once the season starts. Hopefully, the non-conference will get us ready for Big Sky play and the kids will be feeling comfortable."
The Montana State schedule is packed with quality opponents. Nebraska is ranked No. 1 in the AVCA preseason poll, while Creighton (18) and Loyola Marymount (21) also cracked the top 25.
"As a coaching staff we couldn't be any happier with this group," Riley said. "We're getting everyone on the same page, having some fun, and attacking the practice gym. No one is complaining. No one is whining. Everyone is showing good fight and it's a positive start, which is fun to see."
Montana State opens its Big Sky season hosting Idaho on Sept. 22 in Shroyer Gym.
"We were pretty excited at this time last season," Riley said. "Everything was so new."
MSU ended up 3-21 overall and 1-15 in Big Sky play, notching its only league victory over rival Montana.
This season, however, Riley is looking for the Bobcats to use its youth and enthusiasm as a springboard to success.
"This group has a whole different feel," Riley commented. "Everyone's coming in with a clean slate. Last year, there was some history. With the addition of our new athletes there is less issues and we have a good, solid vibe. Our kids are hungry and excited for the season. We're eager to find out what we have."
Leading the Bobcats will be fifth-year senior Eli Svisco. Svisco, who suffered an ankle injury and missed the entire Big Sky Conference season last fall, will be a four-year starter for Montana State.
"It was a big blow when Eli went down," Riley said. "We missed her leadership and it stung. Fast-forward, it's great to have her here this season. Her stability will help the young pups along."
Riley will also look to upperclassmen Alex Rader and Dana Vestman to bring the squad up to speed.
"Dana and Alex bring a good, solid focus to the top of our roster," Riley said. "Natalie Passeck and Chase Doughty are also ready to go and Libbey (Fellows) brings a solid work-ethic to the gym. In the middle, we will be relying on Kiana Black a lot. Our upperclassmen all bring something different to the court."
Six freshmen and two junior college transfers make up MSU's newcomers. The contingent is one of the largest influx of talent to enter the Bobcat program at one time. Riley is hesitant to single out any of his first-year student-athletes as possible impact players.
"The first few weeks of camp are always interesting," Riley said. "We had some perceptions of personalities heading into Tuesday. It's great to see everyone contributing. They are doing a nice job of communicating and they're giddy in a good way. Everyone is buying-in and we have a very committed team."
Montana State will continue two-a-day practices until its first tournament at Air Force on Aug. 26. The Bobcats will also have tournaments at Denver and Nebraska in non-conference action.
"Our schedule is going to be good," Riley said. "Every tournament will get a little harder. We have a nice break between Denver and Nebraska. It will allow us to focus on training, which is something you don't get to do a lot of once the season starts. Hopefully, the non-conference will get us ready for Big Sky play and the kids will be feeling comfortable."
The Montana State schedule is packed with quality opponents. Nebraska is ranked No. 1 in the AVCA preseason poll, while Creighton (18) and Loyola Marymount (21) also cracked the top 25.
"As a coaching staff we couldn't be any happier with this group," Riley said. "We're getting everyone on the same page, having some fun, and attacking the practice gym. No one is complaining. No one is whining. Everyone is showing good fight and it's a positive start, which is fun to see."
Montana State opens its Big Sky season hosting Idaho on Sept. 22 in Shroyer Gym.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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L/DS
/ Women's VolleyballWednesday, January 18
Monday, November 15
Saturday, September 04
Friday, September 03
