Black Leads Bobcat Attack

Thursday, September 28

BOZEMAN

7 p.m.

Montana State University

4-8, 0-3BSC

Portland State

12-3, 3-0BSC

Portland State

Montana State

Senior Kiana Black

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

9/28/2017 9:50:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

After a slow start, the Montana State volleyball team eventually found its rhythm but it wasn’t enough as Portland State handed the Bobcats a 25-13, 27-25, 25-18 setback, Thursday night in Shroyer Gym.

By: Tom Schulz

After a slow start, the Montana State volleyball team eventually found its rhythm but it wasn't enough as Portland State handed the Bobcats a 25-13, 27-25, 25-18 setback, Thursday night in Shroyer Gym.

Portland State (12-3, 3-0) out-hit Montana State (4-8, 0-3) .407 to -.056 in the opening frame.

MSU quickly found its groove in the second set and rallied from a 16-11 deficit to even the game at 18-all on a kill by setter Katie Rutecki. The set was tied five times down the stretch before the Bobcats took a 24-23 advantage on a kill via freshman Hannah Scott.

A Vikings kill again knotted the frame before a kill by Kiana Black gave MSU its second set point. Again, PSU rallied, this time scoring the final three points to take a 2-0 margin into intermission.

"The team is aware that we need to resolve our slow starts," said MSU head coach Daniel Jones. "I was happy with our effort in sets two and three. Portland State is a good team and shoved us pretty hard in the first set. I'm pleased that we were able to shove back. We gave ourselves a chance."

Portland State jumped out to a 14-11 lead midway through the final set before MSU fought back to tie the game at 15-all on another Black winner. The Vikings responded with a 5-1 run to put the match away.

"For the most part our execution was good," Jones said. "However, we can't give up big chunks of points. That's something we need to handle on our side of the net. When our opponents start throwing us their best, we have to be able to not let it upset our rhythm."

Black, a senior from Wenatchee, Wash., guided MSU with a team-high 11 kills, while hitting .348 from the field. Sophomore Savannah Laws added nine kills and Rutecki posted a season-best four kills to go along with 33 assists.

Defensively, the Bobcats were paced by freshman Libby Christensen with 13 digs, while Allyssa Rizzo added 11 saves.

"Libby gave us a nice boost in the back row," Jones said. "Our effort was there, we just need to be relentless for a longer period of time. This team is hungry to get there."

The Bobcats will host Montana on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in the annual Brawl of the Wild match.