Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
From Lows to Highs, Passeck Experienced Bobcat Volleyball Turnaround
11/13/2018 6:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Bobcats have won six conference matches and clinched their spot in the postseason championship. Playing in the Big Sky tournament is a much deserving cap for Natalie Passeck's career.
In 2015, the Bobcat volleyball team won one game in the Big Sky Conference. The team has taken up an almost entirely new identity since.
Only one Bobcat remains out of the five that were freshmen on the roster during the 2015 season. Natalie Passeck, the lone senior now on the 2018 MSU volleyball team, gets to make her first appearance at the Big Sky Conference tournament to finish her collegiate career.
The Bobcats have won six conference matches and clinched their spot in the postseason championship. Playing in the Big Sky tournament is a much deserving cap for her career.
"The fact we got to the tournament was so huge for us, and that we made this turnaround," said Passeck. "My freshman year we were 1-15 and now we're in the tournament and we're scaring teams. We just got back from Idaho and we played a great match against them. We're just fearless right now."
The Bobcats are led into the tournament by head coach Daniel Jones. Jones, an assistant on the team in 2015, has had the program trending in an upward direction since he took the head coaching position. The Bobcats haven't made the conference tournament since 2012, which makes earning the right to compete in it a well-deserved accomplishment for the program. The feat also shows the turnaround the Bobcats have gone through during Passeck's four years.
"I'm just so excited for them, particularly for Natalie, our lone senior," Jones said. "The path she's gone through to turning this program from being a three-win team to going to the Big Sky tournament, being in a situation where we don't care who we play because we're confident to play anybody."
The Bobcats aren't content with simply making the tournament. The young team has improved on a game to game basis this season. The team challenged the top teams in the conference and are ready for any opponent.
"I just think everyone on our team gets after it and nothing's stopping us," Passeck said. "That's from the six on the court to our bench to our coaches, everyone bought in that we wanted to go to the conference tournament… We want to win it. It's not just something we say and throw up in the air anymore, we're doing big things this year."
Playing in the conference tournament isn't the only milestone left for a historic career. The already accomplished outside hitter is also approaching a personal marker. Passeck is 21 kills away from joining the 1,000-kill club at Montana State.
"Honestly, (getting to 1,000 kills) is one of my biggest personal goals," Passeck said. "This is kind of cheesy, but I calculate it and know how many I need. But at the end of the day if I get it, I get it. If I don't that sucks, but I'm going to get it."
If this senior year has been any indication so far, Passeck will get those 21 kills, cementing another goal.
Having one senior on a roster could be a challenge for any team. The lack of experience is viewed to be a possible detriment in close games amongst many athletic circles. This year has been challenging for Passeck knowing she's the only one playing her final home game this week.
"At the beginning of the season I didn't think it was going to be hard, but it kind of is," Passeck said. "This team is very mature ,but being the lone senior is really weird. Just not to have anyone in your class anymore to relate to, it's weird."
Senior Night for the Bobcats might be missing out on quantity, but it's made up for in the quality of Passeck's career. Jones aims to make it a memorable last home game and final stretch to the season and a career.
"Senior Night on Thursday, I've made no secret about it within the playing group my motivation is to get this done for Natalie," said Jones. "(She can) take us to the conference tournament, we can make some noise in the tournament. The Senior Night on Thursday is going to be a real special occasion, to see Natalie off for her last home match."
Passeck leaves behind a memorable legacy for the Bobcats. Her accomplishments on the court have been matched by few student-athletes in the program. Her goals have also stretched off the court.
"I wanted to be a good leader and have an impact on this program," Passeck said. "I want to leave a positive impact on each and every girl. I want to be able to look back and see that I had an impact."
Montana State hosts Senior Night on Thursday at 7 p.m, in Shroyer Gymnasium against Idaho State.
Only one Bobcat remains out of the five that were freshmen on the roster during the 2015 season. Natalie Passeck, the lone senior now on the 2018 MSU volleyball team, gets to make her first appearance at the Big Sky Conference tournament to finish her collegiate career.
The Bobcats have won six conference matches and clinched their spot in the postseason championship. Playing in the Big Sky tournament is a much deserving cap for her career.
"The fact we got to the tournament was so huge for us, and that we made this turnaround," said Passeck. "My freshman year we were 1-15 and now we're in the tournament and we're scaring teams. We just got back from Idaho and we played a great match against them. We're just fearless right now."
The Bobcats are led into the tournament by head coach Daniel Jones. Jones, an assistant on the team in 2015, has had the program trending in an upward direction since he took the head coaching position. The Bobcats haven't made the conference tournament since 2012, which makes earning the right to compete in it a well-deserved accomplishment for the program. The feat also shows the turnaround the Bobcats have gone through during Passeck's four years.
"I'm just so excited for them, particularly for Natalie, our lone senior," Jones said. "The path she's gone through to turning this program from being a three-win team to going to the Big Sky tournament, being in a situation where we don't care who we play because we're confident to play anybody."
The Bobcats aren't content with simply making the tournament. The young team has improved on a game to game basis this season. The team challenged the top teams in the conference and are ready for any opponent.
"I just think everyone on our team gets after it and nothing's stopping us," Passeck said. "That's from the six on the court to our bench to our coaches, everyone bought in that we wanted to go to the conference tournament… We want to win it. It's not just something we say and throw up in the air anymore, we're doing big things this year."
Playing in the conference tournament isn't the only milestone left for a historic career. The already accomplished outside hitter is also approaching a personal marker. Passeck is 21 kills away from joining the 1,000-kill club at Montana State.
"Honestly, (getting to 1,000 kills) is one of my biggest personal goals," Passeck said. "This is kind of cheesy, but I calculate it and know how many I need. But at the end of the day if I get it, I get it. If I don't that sucks, but I'm going to get it."
If this senior year has been any indication so far, Passeck will get those 21 kills, cementing another goal.
Having one senior on a roster could be a challenge for any team. The lack of experience is viewed to be a possible detriment in close games amongst many athletic circles. This year has been challenging for Passeck knowing she's the only one playing her final home game this week.
"At the beginning of the season I didn't think it was going to be hard, but it kind of is," Passeck said. "This team is very mature ,but being the lone senior is really weird. Just not to have anyone in your class anymore to relate to, it's weird."
Senior Night for the Bobcats might be missing out on quantity, but it's made up for in the quality of Passeck's career. Jones aims to make it a memorable last home game and final stretch to the season and a career.
"Senior Night on Thursday, I've made no secret about it within the playing group my motivation is to get this done for Natalie," said Jones. "(She can) take us to the conference tournament, we can make some noise in the tournament. The Senior Night on Thursday is going to be a real special occasion, to see Natalie off for her last home match."
Passeck leaves behind a memorable legacy for the Bobcats. Her accomplishments on the court have been matched by few student-athletes in the program. Her goals have also stretched off the court.
"I wanted to be a good leader and have an impact on this program," Passeck said. "I want to leave a positive impact on each and every girl. I want to be able to look back and see that I had an impact."
Montana State hosts Senior Night on Thursday at 7 p.m, in Shroyer Gymnasium against Idaho State.
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