Montana State University
Grand Canyon
Bobcats Open Season at Air Force Tourney
8/25/2016 2:57:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Montana State volleyball team will open its 2016 campaign at the Air Force Academy - Amy Svoboda Memorial Classic this weekend.
SEASON OPENER:
The Montana State volleyball team will open its 2016 campaign at the Air Force Academy - Amy Svoboda Memorial Classic this weekend. It will be the second season for Bobcat head coach JJ Riley, who guided the Bobcats to a 3-21 overall mark and a 1-15 Big Sky Conference slate, last fall. Montana State won its season-opener against Tulane, 3-1, at the Sam Houston Classic, last August.
Amy Svoboda Memorial Classic - Air Force Academy Tournament
Aug. 26 - Grand Canyon vs. Montana State, 4 p.m.
Aug. 27 - Montana State vs. Air Force, 12 p.m.
Aug. 27 - Montana State vs. Jacksonville State, 5 p.m.
The MSU vs. Air Force match will be streamed live and live stats will be available for all matches. Head to goairforcefalcons.com for more information.
ABOUT THEM 2016 'CATS:
Second-year head coach JJ Riley spent the off-season upgrading the Montana State volleyball roster. On August 9, he welcomed seven letterwinners and eight newcomers as the Bobcats opened fall drills. This season, Riley is looking for the Bobcats to use its youth and enthusiasm as a springboard to success. "Everyone's coming in with a clean slate," Riley said. "Last year, there was some history," he added. "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 senior Eli Svisco. Svisco, who suffered an ankle injury and missed the entire Big Sky 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 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. Riley is hesitant to single out any first-year rookies as possible impact players. "The first few weeks of the season are always interesting," Riley said. "We had some perceptions of personalities heading into fall camp. It's great to see everyone contributing. They are doing a nice job of communicating. Everyone is buying-in and we have a very committed team." 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.
SCOUTING THE TOURNAMENT:
Air Force went 12-21 overall and 5-13 in Mountain West action, finishing tenth in the league. The Falcons defeated Montana State 3-2 last September, claiming a 15-13 victory in the fifth set. AFA returns only one starter from last season, and are under the direction of first-year head coach Marc Swindle. Also under the direction of a first-year head coach (Tim Nollan) Grand Canyon is coming off a 7-21 campaign. The Lopes return their top four point scorers from last season, including Natalie Tardy, who was tabbed a preseason All-Western Athletic Conference selection. Jacksonville State posted a 14-20 overall record and a 5-11 ledger in Ohio Valley play. The Gamecocks return four starters this fall.
