Bobcats Face Defending National Champs

Friday, September 16

Lincoln, NE

4 p.m.

Montana State University

(RV) Creighton

Photo by: Sepp Jannotta

9/14/2016 6:33:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

MSU VB NOTES MSU VB NOTES

After a week’s hiatus, the Bobcats will travel to the epicenter of the NCAA Division I volleyball world where it will compete in the University of Nebraska Ameritas Players Challenge in Lincoln.

By: Tom Schulz

THE NEBRASKA AMERITAS PLAYERS CHALLENGE:
After a week's hiatus, the Bobcats will travel to the epicenter of the NCAA Division I volleyball world where it will compete in the University of Nebraska Ameritas Players Challenge in Lincoln. All matches will be held in the Devaney Center, one of the top venues in all of collegiate athletics with a capacity of 7,907. Over 8,300 jammed the Devaney Center on Sept. 2 as the Cornhuskers defeated Iowa State in three sets. Here is MSU's schedule for this weekend:

9-16- Montana State at #1 Nebraska            11 a.m. (MT)
9-16- Montana State vs. (RV) Creighton        4 p.m. (MT)
9-17- Montana State vs. Gonzaga              11 a.m. (MT)

Live stats for each of Montana State's matches this weekend can be viewed by going to www.huskers.com. In addition, there is a pay per view link for MSU's match with Nebraska. Audio is also available for the Nebraska match, and Bobcats fans can listen to the match with Creighton at v6.player.abacast.net/2760 - an Omaha based station following the Blue Jays.

Nebraska (6-0) was the unanimous No. 1 pick this week, garnering all 64 first-place votes in the AVCA Division I Coaches poll. Creighton (4-5) received 14 votes this week, which would put the Blue Jays at the No. 33 spot.

THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS:
It's been two weeks since the Bobcats last took to the volleyball court at the University of Denver Pioneer Classic in the Mile High City. Montana State went 0-3 at the tournament, dropping all three matches in straight sets. "We have some growing and learning to do in so many areas," said MSU head coach JJ Riley. "We're a work in progress and the challenge is staying the course and making sure everyone knows where we are trying to go and that they hold on to that vision." The Bobcats opened the Pioneer Classic with a 25-15, 25-16, 25-19 setback to Utah State. The Aggies out-hit MSU .308 to .144. The Bobcats were paced by Natalie Passeck with nine kills and nine digs, while Katie Rutecki dished out 18 assists, while adding five digs and an ace. True-freshman libero Allyssa Rizzo notched a match-high 11 digs. On Saturday, Montana State lost a pair of matches to DU (25-15, 25-19, 25-16) and #20 LMU (28-26, 25-13, 25-16). Against the Pioneers, MSU was led by Kiana Black with 10 kills and a team-best .562 attack mark. Audra Dugan also helped the Bobcat offense with six kills and a .357 hitting percentage. Defensively, Rizzo posted 13 digs, while Passeck added ten saves. In its match with the Lions, the Bobcats were led by Chase Doughty with a team-high eight kills, while Black and Passeck each added seven. Rizzo guided MSU in the backrow with ten digs, and Dugan finished with a match-high five blocks. "The preseason schedule is tough for a reason as we need to learn how to grow and make changes when challenged," Riley said. "It was great to play against a team like LMU that plays great volleyball and plays very fast. Those situations will prepare us well for conference as they stress you the whole time."

SCOUTING THE NEBRASKA-AMERITAS PLAYERS CHALLENGE:
Up first at the Ameritas Players Challenge is No. 1-ranked Nebraska. The defending national champs are 6-0, dropping just one set - that to Florida on Aug. 26. Nebraska returns four starters and its libero from last year's team that went 32-4 overall and 17-3 in Big Ten action. The Huskers have been paced by Kadie Rolfzen and Andie Malloy, who average 3.26 and 3.06 kills per set, respectively. Friday's match with Nebraska will be the first between the two schools. Despite a 4-5 record, Creighton has faced three top 25 teams as well as perennial Pac-12 power USC. The Blue Jays are led by Jaali Winters and Taryn Kloth, each averaging 3.14 kills per outing. Creighton owns a 2-0 lead in its series with MSU. Gonzaga is 6-1 in early season play. The Zags have wins over Big Sky foes Idaho State, Montana and Southern Utah. MSU leads the all-time series 4-3.