Thursday, October 4
Flagstaff, AZ
8 p.m.
Montana State University
at
Northern Arizona
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
On The Road Again: Cats Travel to Northern Arizona, Southern Utah
10/2/2018 4:28:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Montana State volleyball team is halfway through its longest road swing of the Big Sky season. The Bobcats will finish the road stretch at Northern Arizona, Thursday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. (MT) in Flagstaff, before completing weekend action at Southern Utah, Saturday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. in Cedar City.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN:
The Montana State volleyball team is halfway through its longest road swing of the Big Sky season. The Bobcats will finish the road stretch at Northern Arizona, Thursday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. (MT) in Flagstaff, before completing weekend action at Southern Utah, Saturday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. in Cedar City. MSU is 5-8 away from the confines of Shroyer Gym this fall. Northern Arizona will host MSU and Montana this weekend. The Lumberjacks are 3-2 at home this season, including a 3-2 upset over #8 Florida on Sept. 7 in the Rolle Activity Center. Southern Utah will host Montana on Thursday before facing the Cats.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:
Northern Arizona is 10-7 overall and 2-2 in Big Sky action. The Lumberjacks split a pair of road matches last week, defeating Portland State 3-0, before dropping a 3-2 decision at Sacramento State. Abby Akin guided NAU past the Vikings with nine kills, a .692 attack mark and four blocks. At Sacramento State, the Lumberjacks were led by Akin with 14 kills, a .414 attack mark and three blocks. Southern Utah is 2-14 overall and 1-3 in Big Sky play. Last weekend, SUU dropped a 3-1 decision at Sacramento State, before handing Portland State a 3-1 setback on Saturday. The T-Birds were guided in its two matches by Janet Kalaniuvalu, who averaged 5.13 kills and 3.50 digs per set, while hitting .306.
Opponent: Northern Arizona (30,383)
Nickname: Lumberjacks
Head Coach: Ken Murphy
2018 Record: 10-7 overall; 2-1/Big Sky
Opponent: Southern Utah (10,245)
Nickname: Thunderbirds
Head Coach: Pete Hoyer
2018 Record: 2-14 overall; 1-3/Big Sky
SIDE OUTS:
* MSU has lost five straight and 18-of-its-last-19 matches to Northern Arizona
* NAU holds a 37-23 lead in the all-time series going back to Sept. 24, 1987
* The Bobcats are 5-3 all-time against Southern Utah going back to Oct. 6, 2012
* Allyssa Rizzo is the 1st MSU player to win back-to-back BSC Defensive POW honors
* Junior libero Allyssa Rizzo is seventh on MSU's career digs list with 1,178 saves
* Rizzo leads the Big Sky averaging 5.48 digs per set, which ranks 16th in the nation
* Thirteen of MSU's 17 rostered players have been in the program two years or less
* Montana State is averaging 1,009 fans per match, which ranks 54th in the nation
SUPER SAVER:
Junior libero Allyssa Rizzo has earned two Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors this season. Last week, she averaged 4.25 dig per set, which included a high of 24 saves at Montana last Tuesday night in Missoula. The product of Crestwood, Ill., posted 34 digs in eight sets for the week. Rizzo has gone over the 30-dig plateau on three occasions this fall, including a career high 34 digs in MSU's win over Portland State. In addition, she has notched 11 matches with 20 or more digs. Her current 334 digs on the season is creeping up MSU's single-season digs chart. Nicole Baker (2011) holds the Bobcat single-season record at 514. Rizzo leads the Big Sky averaging 5.48 digs per set, which also ranks No. 16 in the nation. She has notched 1,178 career digs, which is seventh on MSU's all-time career digs chart.
PINTREST:
As a unit Montana State's outside hitters manned the pins last weekend producing 61 kills, while hitting .161 from the floor. In addition, the foursome tallied 22 digs and added five blocks. Natalie Passeck led the way averaging 3.12 kills per set with a .194 attack mark. The Parker, Colo., native has recorded six consecutive double-figure kill matches. Sophomore Hannah Scott averaged 2.25 kills per set while taking 74 swings over the weekend. The Hawthorne, Calif., product also led the outside hitting contingent with 13 digs. Evi Wilson recorded 12 kills and four blocks on the week, while freshman Hailey Merkes chipped in six kills and a .357 attack mark.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING:
As a team, the Bobcats rank in the top five in five Big Sky Conference statistical categories. MSU ranked third in team digs (959); fourth in team aces (80), total team attacks (2,189) and digs per set (15.72). MSU is listed fifth in the league in attack per set (35.89). Montana State is also ranked among the top 100 in NCAA Division I in digs (90th) and digs per set (93rd). Individually, Allyssa Rizzo ranks among the best liberos in the nation. Her 5.48 digs per set not only leads the Big Sky Conference, but ranks 16th nationally. Rizzo is also ranked 22nd in the nation in total digs and 74th in aces (22). Sophomore middle blocker Kelsie White is listed 163rd in the nation averaging 1.05 blocks per set. Her 62 total blocks is 117th in the nation.
HARD BLOCK CAFE:
Last season in MSU's win over Pacific, freshman Kelsie White notched 15 blocks, including 14 block assists. The 14 blocks assist was a Bobcat school-record, breaking the mark of 13 held by Karen Weyler (1994) and Mindy Nowak (1998). The 15 blocks were the second highest total in the nation last fall, and White's 1.08 blocks per game were the 13th best average produced by a freshmen in the country. The Layton, Utah native is currently ranked 117th in the nation with 62 total blocks, while her 1.05 blocks per set is listed 163rd, nationally.
THE RIGHT STUFF:
The Bobcats ended the 2017 season ranked No. 213 in the final RPI, which was a 46-spot leap up the rankings from 259 at the end of the 2016 season. In all, the Bobcats defeated five teams ranked higher than themselves in the final RPI, including No. 71 North Dakota, No. 99 Pacific, No. 151 Gonzaga, No. 164 Utah State and No. 182 UC Santa Barbara.
IT'S ALL-ACADEMIC:
Six Bobcat players that received All-Big Sky Conference Academic accolades in 2017 return to the MSU rotation. They include Lexi Goroski, Libby Christensen, Sydney Mathison, Hannah Scott, Allyssa Rizzo and Kelsie White.
1,000-KILL CLUB:
Senior Natalie Passeck is closing in on becoming just the 16th member of Montana State's 1000-Kill Club. The last member of the club, Kim Stonehouse, made the list in 2006. Here's a look at MSU's all-time career kills list.
1. Diane Terrall, 78-81.......... 1,451
2. Brandy Anderson, 95-98... 1,380
3. Maggie Koughan, 82-85.... 1,328
4. Stephanie Laya, 97-00 ..... 1,260
5. Meggie Malyurek, 02-05.. 1,136
6. Moyra Ditchfield, 80-83.... 1,135
7. Kim Stonehouse, 03-06.... 1,129
8. Megan Zanto, 02-05......... 1,128
9. Kim Steffel, 89-92............ 1,108
10. Michelle Usitalo, 81-84..... 1,060
11. Cori Carper, 96-99............ 1,058
12. Mindy Nowak, 96-99 ...... 1,044
13. Stephanie Nowicki, 86-89. 1,033
14. Karen Weyler, 94-97........ 1,026
15. Aimee Halyk, 99-02.......... 1,014
--- Natalie Passeck, 15---...... 884
1,000-DIG CLUB:
Junior Allyssa Rizzo became the just the ninth member of Montana State's 1,000-Dig Club when she notched 23 saves against Louisiana on Sept. 7. The last member of the club, Kasey Schlatter, made the list in 2014. Here's a look at MSU's all-time career digs list.
1. Kandice Kelly, 03-06......... 1,720
2. Meghan Albiston, 07-10... 1,577
3. Nicole Baker, 10-13.......... 1,564
4. Kamber Kelly, 01-04......... 1,262
5. Meggie Malyurek, 02-05.. 1,223
6. Stephanie Laya, 97-00...... 1,183
7. Allyssa Rizzo, 16--............ 1,178
8. Mindy Nowak, 96-99........ 1,073
9. Kasey Schlatter, 11-14 1,059
The Montana State volleyball team is halfway through its longest road swing of the Big Sky season. The Bobcats will finish the road stretch at Northern Arizona, Thursday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. (MT) in Flagstaff, before completing weekend action at Southern Utah, Saturday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. in Cedar City. MSU is 5-8 away from the confines of Shroyer Gym this fall. Northern Arizona will host MSU and Montana this weekend. The Lumberjacks are 3-2 at home this season, including a 3-2 upset over #8 Florida on Sept. 7 in the Rolle Activity Center. Southern Utah will host Montana on Thursday before facing the Cats.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:
Northern Arizona is 10-7 overall and 2-2 in Big Sky action. The Lumberjacks split a pair of road matches last week, defeating Portland State 3-0, before dropping a 3-2 decision at Sacramento State. Abby Akin guided NAU past the Vikings with nine kills, a .692 attack mark and four blocks. At Sacramento State, the Lumberjacks were led by Akin with 14 kills, a .414 attack mark and three blocks. Southern Utah is 2-14 overall and 1-3 in Big Sky play. Last weekend, SUU dropped a 3-1 decision at Sacramento State, before handing Portland State a 3-1 setback on Saturday. The T-Birds were guided in its two matches by Janet Kalaniuvalu, who averaged 5.13 kills and 3.50 digs per set, while hitting .306.
Opponent: Northern Arizona (30,383)
Nickname: Lumberjacks
Head Coach: Ken Murphy
2018 Record: 10-7 overall; 2-1/Big Sky
Opponent: Southern Utah (10,245)
Nickname: Thunderbirds
Head Coach: Pete Hoyer
2018 Record: 2-14 overall; 1-3/Big Sky
SIDE OUTS:
* MSU has lost five straight and 18-of-its-last-19 matches to Northern Arizona
* NAU holds a 37-23 lead in the all-time series going back to Sept. 24, 1987
* The Bobcats are 5-3 all-time against Southern Utah going back to Oct. 6, 2012
* Allyssa Rizzo is the 1st MSU player to win back-to-back BSC Defensive POW honors
* Junior libero Allyssa Rizzo is seventh on MSU's career digs list with 1,178 saves
* Rizzo leads the Big Sky averaging 5.48 digs per set, which ranks 16th in the nation
* Thirteen of MSU's 17 rostered players have been in the program two years or less
* Montana State is averaging 1,009 fans per match, which ranks 54th in the nation
SUPER SAVER:
Junior libero Allyssa Rizzo has earned two Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors this season. Last week, she averaged 4.25 dig per set, which included a high of 24 saves at Montana last Tuesday night in Missoula. The product of Crestwood, Ill., posted 34 digs in eight sets for the week. Rizzo has gone over the 30-dig plateau on three occasions this fall, including a career high 34 digs in MSU's win over Portland State. In addition, she has notched 11 matches with 20 or more digs. Her current 334 digs on the season is creeping up MSU's single-season digs chart. Nicole Baker (2011) holds the Bobcat single-season record at 514. Rizzo leads the Big Sky averaging 5.48 digs per set, which also ranks No. 16 in the nation. She has notched 1,178 career digs, which is seventh on MSU's all-time career digs chart.
PINTREST:
As a unit Montana State's outside hitters manned the pins last weekend producing 61 kills, while hitting .161 from the floor. In addition, the foursome tallied 22 digs and added five blocks. Natalie Passeck led the way averaging 3.12 kills per set with a .194 attack mark. The Parker, Colo., native has recorded six consecutive double-figure kill matches. Sophomore Hannah Scott averaged 2.25 kills per set while taking 74 swings over the weekend. The Hawthorne, Calif., product also led the outside hitting contingent with 13 digs. Evi Wilson recorded 12 kills and four blocks on the week, while freshman Hailey Merkes chipped in six kills and a .357 attack mark.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING:
As a team, the Bobcats rank in the top five in five Big Sky Conference statistical categories. MSU ranked third in team digs (959); fourth in team aces (80), total team attacks (2,189) and digs per set (15.72). MSU is listed fifth in the league in attack per set (35.89). Montana State is also ranked among the top 100 in NCAA Division I in digs (90th) and digs per set (93rd). Individually, Allyssa Rizzo ranks among the best liberos in the nation. Her 5.48 digs per set not only leads the Big Sky Conference, but ranks 16th nationally. Rizzo is also ranked 22nd in the nation in total digs and 74th in aces (22). Sophomore middle blocker Kelsie White is listed 163rd in the nation averaging 1.05 blocks per set. Her 62 total blocks is 117th in the nation.
HARD BLOCK CAFE:
Last season in MSU's win over Pacific, freshman Kelsie White notched 15 blocks, including 14 block assists. The 14 blocks assist was a Bobcat school-record, breaking the mark of 13 held by Karen Weyler (1994) and Mindy Nowak (1998). The 15 blocks were the second highest total in the nation last fall, and White's 1.08 blocks per game were the 13th best average produced by a freshmen in the country. The Layton, Utah native is currently ranked 117th in the nation with 62 total blocks, while her 1.05 blocks per set is listed 163rd, nationally.
THE RIGHT STUFF:
The Bobcats ended the 2017 season ranked No. 213 in the final RPI, which was a 46-spot leap up the rankings from 259 at the end of the 2016 season. In all, the Bobcats defeated five teams ranked higher than themselves in the final RPI, including No. 71 North Dakota, No. 99 Pacific, No. 151 Gonzaga, No. 164 Utah State and No. 182 UC Santa Barbara.
IT'S ALL-ACADEMIC:
Six Bobcat players that received All-Big Sky Conference Academic accolades in 2017 return to the MSU rotation. They include Lexi Goroski, Libby Christensen, Sydney Mathison, Hannah Scott, Allyssa Rizzo and Kelsie White.
1,000-KILL CLUB:
Senior Natalie Passeck is closing in on becoming just the 16th member of Montana State's 1000-Kill Club. The last member of the club, Kim Stonehouse, made the list in 2006. Here's a look at MSU's all-time career kills list.
1. Diane Terrall, 78-81.......... 1,451
2. Brandy Anderson, 95-98... 1,380
3. Maggie Koughan, 82-85.... 1,328
4. Stephanie Laya, 97-00 ..... 1,260
5. Meggie Malyurek, 02-05.. 1,136
6. Moyra Ditchfield, 80-83.... 1,135
7. Kim Stonehouse, 03-06.... 1,129
8. Megan Zanto, 02-05......... 1,128
9. Kim Steffel, 89-92............ 1,108
10. Michelle Usitalo, 81-84..... 1,060
11. Cori Carper, 96-99............ 1,058
12. Mindy Nowak, 96-99 ...... 1,044
13. Stephanie Nowicki, 86-89. 1,033
14. Karen Weyler, 94-97........ 1,026
15. Aimee Halyk, 99-02.......... 1,014
--- Natalie Passeck, 15---...... 884
1,000-DIG CLUB:
Junior Allyssa Rizzo became the just the ninth member of Montana State's 1,000-Dig Club when she notched 23 saves against Louisiana on Sept. 7. The last member of the club, Kasey Schlatter, made the list in 2014. Here's a look at MSU's all-time career digs list.
1. Kandice Kelly, 03-06......... 1,720
2. Meghan Albiston, 07-10... 1,577
3. Nicole Baker, 10-13.......... 1,564
4. Kamber Kelly, 01-04......... 1,262
5. Meggie Malyurek, 02-05.. 1,223
6. Stephanie Laya, 97-00...... 1,183
7. Allyssa Rizzo, 16--............ 1,178
8. Mindy Nowak, 96-99........ 1,073
9. Kasey Schlatter, 11-14 1,059
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
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