Bobcats Rally From Sluggish Start to Ground Golden Eagles in Four Sets

Friday, September 14

Seattle, WA

4:30 p.m.

Montana State University

4-6

Tennessee Tech

6-7

Tennessee Tech

Montana State

Freshman Susanna Sovde

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

Bobcats Rally From Sluggish Start to Ground Golden Eagles in Four Sets

9/14/2018 6:52:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

“The slow start hid the rhythm we found at the end of the first set,” said MSU head coach Daniel Jones. “It was a well-balanced offensive performance from there on out.”

By: Tom Schulz

After getting down 1-0 following a slow start in the opening set, the Montana State volleyball team responded with a .278 attack mark- its highest in three weeks- to cruise to an 18-25, 25-12, 25-21, 25-19 win over Tennessee Tech at the Redhawk Invitational, Friday night in the Emerald City.

Tennessee Tech (6-7) jumped out to an early 10-1 lead in the first set and never looked back as Montana State (4-6) hit in negative numbers. The Bobcats rallied in the second frame outhitting the Golden Eagles .548 to .103 as Evi Wilson and Hannah Scott combined for 13 kills, while hitting .600 from the field.

"The slow start hid the rhythm we found at the end of the first set," said MSU head coach Daniel Jones. "It was a well-balanced offensive performance from there on out."

The third set featured 14 ties and seven lead changes. MSU broke away at 21-all with four consecutive points taking a 2-1 advantage following a Wilson kill.

Trailing 17-14 in the final stanza, the Bobcats rattled off a 10-1 run to take a 24-18 lead. Freshman Susanna Sovde closed out the match with a block. During MSU's run, the product from Bellevue, Wash., recorded three kills and two blocks.

Wilson guided the Bobcats with a match-high 17 kills and a .438 attack mark. Also in double-figure kills was Scott with 12 winners.

Setter Allie Lynch dished out 41 assists and added 13 digs for her third double-double of the season.

"To have six hitters put up numbers like they did reflects the distribution from Allie (Lynch), who is growing in her role every outing," Jones stated.

Defensively, the Bobcats were paced by Allyssa Rizzo with 20 digs, while Libby Christensen also reached double-digits with 11 saves. Middle blocker Kelsie White led all players with five blocks, while adding nine kills.

"(Allyssa) Rizzo had another good match as the rock of our defense," Jones added. "Overall, it was as complete a team performance as we've had this year. An outing we can build on as we look to gain some momentum."

Montana State will close out play against Seattle U on Saturday at 3 p.m. (MT).