Montana State University
Eastern Washington
Bobcats Host Eastern Washington on Saturday Night
10/4/2019 5:22:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Montana State volleyball team will look for a weekend sweep when it hosts Eastern Washington University on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym.
BOBCATS LOOK FOR WEEKEND SWEEP HOSTING EASTERN WASHINGTON ON SATURDAY:
The Montana State volleyball team will look for a weekend sweep when it hosts Eastern Washington University on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym. The Bobcats are coming off, perhaps, its best win of the season after knocking off defending Big Sky regular-season champions Idaho (25-23, 21-25, 25-17, 25-23) on Thursday night. Fans in attendance on Thursday saw history in the making as senior libero Allyssa Rizzo racked up 21 digs, giving her 1,730 for her career en route to becoming MSU's all-time leader in saves. Rizzo surpassed the old mark of 1,720 set by Kandice Kelly from 2003-06.
SIDE OUTS:
* MSU trails Eastern Washington 55-26 in its all-time series going back to 1980
* The Cats won both matches over EWU last fall, including a 3-1 decision in Bozeman
* Montana State has won three straight matches over Eastern Washington
* Montana handed Eastern Washington a 25-22, 25-5, 25-11 setback on Thursday night
* Before Thursday night, MSU's last win over Idaho (3-1) came on Sept. 14, 1990
* MSU had lost 23 straight matches to the University of Idaho before Thursday night
* Allyssa Rizzo became MSU's all-time career digs leader on Thursday with 21 digs
* Rizzo's career total stands at 1,730, 10 more than previous record-holder Kandice Kelly
* Rizzo is currently ranked fifth in the nation averaging 5.75 digs per set
* Senior Evi Wilson led MSU with a team-high 18 kills against Idaho
* Evi Wilson paces the Bobcats offensively averaging 3.22 kps, while hitting .230
1,000-DIG CLUB:
Senior Allyssa Rizzo became the just the ninth member of Montana State's prestigious 1,000-Dig Club when she notched 23 saves against Louisiana on Sept. 7, 2018. The last member of the club, Kasey Schlatter, made the list in 2014. On Thursday, Oct. 3, Rizzo became Montana State's all-time career digs leader when she racked-up 21 saves in the Bobcats' 3-1 win over Idaho. Her current career total stands at 1,730 digs, ten more than previous record-holder Kandice Kelly (2003-06). The Crestwood, Ill., product ranks 10th all-time in Big Sky Conference history, as well.
1. Allyssa Rizzo, 16--............ 1,730
2. Kandice Kelly, 03-06......... 1,720
3. Meghan Albiston, 07-10.... 1,577
4. Nicole Baker, 10-13.......... 1,564
5. Kamber Kelly, 01-04.......... 1,262
6. Meggie Malyurek, 02-05... 1,223
7. Stephanie Laya, 97-00....... 1,183
8. Mindy Nowak, 96-99........ 1,073
9. Kasey Schlatter, 11-14...... 1,059
RIZZO 2.0:
Senior Allyssa Rizzo is ranked fifth in the nation averaging 5.70 digs per set. She is ranked behind Wright State's Jenna Story (6.59), Charlotte's Yumi Garcia (6.53), Kent State's Erin Gardner and Fordham's Morgan Williams (6.04). Rizzo's career-high 37 dig output against Northwestern State on Aug. 30 is the 12th highest total recorded this season at the NCAA Division I level. Rizzo leads the Big Sky at 5.70 per set. She is followed by Ellie Snook of Portland State, who averages 5.09 digs per outing.
GREAT SCOTT:
Junior Hannah Scott (who possesses the best playlist on the team) is off to a hot start after moving to the rightside position. The Hawthorne, Calif., native, has been in double figure kills in six matches, including a pair of 17-kill outings, which is just one kill shy of her career-best 18 kills set against Weber State as a freshman. The 5-11 outside hitter entered the season with a career .135 attack mark. After 12 matches this season, Scott is hitting a .249 from the field. She has posted seven matches hitting over .250 this fall, including a season-best .438 (7-0-16) attack mark in MSU's win over Montana on Sept. 24.
HARD BLOCK CAFE:
For the first time in a long time, the Bobcats are ranked among the Big Sky's best in blocking. Montana State currently ranks fifth in the league averaging 2.28 blocks per set. MSU also sports two players among the top 10 in the conference. Junior Kelsie White in fourth in the conference averaging 1.13 blocks per set, while freshman Emma Pence is listed eighth at 1.04 per contest.
A LENDING HAND:
Former Bozeman High product and Montana Class AA state champion setter Allie Lynch is settling into her junior season at Montana State. Lynch currently averages 9.83 assists per set, which ranks third in the Big Sky Conference. On the season, she has registered four matches with 45 assists or more, including a season-high 51 assists in MSU's win over Loyola Maryland. Lynch also leads in the Bobcats from the service line with a team-best 11 aces. She has recorded a season-high three aces on two occasions this fall, the last coming against Arkansas on Aug. 31. Defensively, her 1.98 digs per set is second best on the squad, while her .59 blocks per set average rank fourth on the team.
CLIMBING THE LADDER:
As the MSU program continues to improve, its numbers within the league's statistical categories have shown remarkable improvement. In the 12 team categories, the Cats are ranked in the top five in eight listings. MSU is ranked first in opponent aces (0.90), third in opponent hitting percentage (.193) fourth in opponent blocks (1.93) and fifth in hitting percentage (.212), kills (12.17), blocks (2.26), assists (11.31) and opponent digs (15.26).
FAB FROSH:
A pair of freshmen are part of Montana State's starting rotation. Outside hitter Kira Thomsen and middle blocker Emma Pence had made an early impact for MSU playing in all 12 matches. The duo has combined for 195 kills, 91 digs and 57 blocks.
WHITE WATCH:
Junior Kelsie White is quickly moving up the all-time MSU block charts and is closing in on being ranked among the top 10 in block assists and total blocks.
BLOCK ASSISTS:
1. Megan Zanto, 02-05......... 511
2. Karen Weyler, 94-97......... 460
3. Cori Carper, 96-99............ 425
4. Anglea Wiebe, 03-06........ 394
5. Aimee Halyk, 99-02........... 308
6. Julia Handwerk, 98-01...... 290
7. Kim Steffel, 89-92............. 283
8. Mindy Nowak, 96-99........ 277
9. Natalee Godfrey, 12-15.... 27
10. Kamber Kelly, 01-04.......... 269
-- Kelsie White, 2017--......... 237
TOTAL BLOCKS:
1. Megan Zanto, 02-05......... 592
2. Karen Weyler, 94-97......... 570
3. Cori Carper, 96-99............ 490
4. Anglea Wiebe, 03-06........ 416
5. Kim Steffel, 89-92............. 356
6. Lisa McCanlies, 80-83....... 341
7. Aimee Halyk, 99-02........... 327
8. Julia Handwerk, 98-01...... 318
Becky Waddell, 83-86....... 318
10. Karin Lundqvist, 00-01...... 300
-- Kelsie White, 2017--......... 264
FAN-TASTIC:
The Cats average 930 fans per match. MSU has consistently been at the top of the Big Sky in attendance and is usually ranked in the nation's top 50, as well.
