Montana State University
Southern Utah
BOBCATS HOST FINAL HOMESTAND/SENIOR NIGHT:
11/13/2019 6:16:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Bobcat volleyball team will wrap-up its home season when it hosts Southern Utah, Thursday, Nov. 14 and Northern Arizona (Senior Night) on Saturday, Nov. 16. Both matches start at 7 p.m.
BOBCATS HOST FINAL HOMESTAND/SENIOR NIGHT:
The Bobcat volleyball team will wrap-up its home season when it hosts Southern Utah, Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. The match celebrates Military Appreciation with all active or retired service personnel receiving up to four free tickets. The Cats will celebrate its three seniors- Sydney Mathison, Allyssa Rizzo and Evi Wilson- Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. against Northern Arizona. Both matches take place during the Montana All-Class State Volleyball Tournament. MSU fans are encouraged to park in the North (Shroyer) lot. In addition, Can the Griz is still ongoing and fans will be admitted for $5 with a donation of a food item.
SIDE OUTS:
* Montana State leads Southern Utah 6-5 in its all-time series going back to the 2012 season
* The Thunderbirds defeated the Bobcats 3-1 (25-19, 19-25, 25- 21, 25-22) on Oct. 12
* Evi Wilson and Hannah Scott led MSU in its loss at SUU with 11 and 10 kills, respectively
* Montana State trails Northern Arizona 40-24 in its all-time series going back to 1987
* Montana State's 3-2 win over NAU earlier this season was its first in Flagstaff since 2006
* MSU's victory over NAU on Oct. 10 snapped an eight-match losing skid to the 'Jacks
* Allyssa Rizzo is Montana State's all-time career digs leader with 2,004 digs
* Rizzo became the third player in Big Sky history to go over 2,000 digs, last week at Idaho
* Rizzo is currently ranked sixth in the nation averaging 5.96 digs per set
* Evi Wilson was named the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week for the second time.
* Wilson led MSU offensively last weekend averaging an impressive 4.86 kills per set
A LEAGUE OF HER OWN:
Senior Allyssa Rizzo became the ninth member of Montana State's prestigious 1,000-Dig Club when she notched 23 saves against Louisiana on Sept. 7, 2018. Since then she has shattered the roof on MSU's all-time digs chart. On Oct. 3, Rizzo became MSU'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 2,004- making her the only Bobcat in history to go over the 2,000-dig plateau. The Crestwood, Ill., product ranks third all-time in Big Sky Conference history, as well.
1. Allyssa Rizzo, 16--............ 2,004
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 sixth in the nation averaging 5.96 digs per set. She is ranked behind Charlotte's Yumi Garcia (6.60), Wright State's Jenna Story (6.49), Tulsa's Taylor Horsfall (6.17), Loyola Maryland's Katie Forsythe (6.14) and Fordham's Morgan Williams (6.07). Rizzo's career-high 37-dig output against Northwestern State on is the 24th highest total recorded this season at the NCAA Division I level, while her 34-save effort against Loyola Maryland is the 21st highest total for a four-set match. Rizzo leads the Big Sky at 5.96 per set. She is followed by Ellie Snook of Portland State, who averages 5.52 digs per outing.
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 third in the league averaging 2.39 blocks per set. MSU also sports two players among the top 10 in the conference. Freshman Emma Pence is listed fifth in the Big Sky Conference averaging 1.11 blocks per set, while junior Kelsie White in sixth in the conference averaging 1.10 blocks per contest.
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. Kelsie White, 2017--......... 272
10. Natalee Godfrey, 12-15.... 271
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. Kelsie White, 2017--......... 303
BEAM ME UP SCOTTY:
Junior Hannah Scott is having a tremendous third season for MSU after moving to the rightside position. The Hawthorne, Calif., native, has been in double figure kills in 13 matches, including a career-high 20 kills as Montana State defeated Sacramento State on Oct. 26. The 5-11 outside hitter entered the season with a career .135 attack mark. After 23 matches this season, Scott is hitting a .238 from the field. She has posted 12 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 in Missoula.
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 9.79 assists per set, which ranks fourth in the Big Sky. On the season, she has registered eight matches with 45 assists or more, including a season-high 51 assists in MSU's win over Loyola Maryland. On Oct. 19, she notched a career-high seven kills leading the Bobcats to a 3-1 win over Idaho State. Lynch also leads in the Bobcats from the service line with a team-best 19 aces. She has recorded a season-high three aces on two occasions, the last coming against Arkansas on Aug. 31. Defensively, her 2.08 digs per set is third best on the squad, while her .58 blocks per set average ranks 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, as well. In the 12 team categories, the Cats are ranked in the top five in six listings. MSU is ranked first in opponent aces (0.94), third in blocks (2.39), kills (12.50) and opponent hitting percentage (.188), fourth in opponent blocks (1.99) and fifth in assists (11.52).
FAB FRESH:
A pair of freshmen are part of Montana State's starting rotation. Outside hitter Kira Thomsen and middle blocker Emma Pence had made an impact for MSU playing in all 23 matches. The duo has combined for 407 kills, 217 digs and 125 blocks. Last weekend, Thomsen averaged 3.86 kills and 1.86 digs per set. She recorded double-digit kills against Eastern Washington and Idaho. Pence averaged 1.71 kills and 0.71 blocks per set, last weekend against the Eagles and Vandals.
