Bobcat Volleyball Program Lands Three on All-Big Sky Conference First-Team
11/25/2019 3:04:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
For the first time in school history the Montana State volleyball team landed three players on the All-Big Sky Conference First-Team. Named to the 12-member team are seniors Allyssa Rizzo and Evi Wilson and junior Hannah Scott.
BOZEMAN, Mont. – For the first time in school history the Montana State volleyball team landed three players on the All-Big Sky Conference First-Team. Named to the 12-member team are seniors Allyssa Rizzo and Evi Wilson and junior Hannah Scott.
"This is a special group of young women," said MSU head coach Daniel Jones. "We know individual awards are always a reflection of team success. I am excited for this recognition for our program as we set out to achieve something historic and special this week. These conference awards are one step forward for us as we seek to achieve the ultimate goal. "
Rizzo, who was a second-team all-league pick a year ago, established herself as the top libero in the Big Sky Conference this season. Her current season total of 620 digs is just four shy of the all-time Bobcat single-season mark of 624 she set last season. In addition, Rizzo became just the third player in Big Sky history to go over 2,000-digs, a feat she accomplished at Idaho on Nov. 9. Rizzo is presently seventh in the country averaging a Big Sky-best 5.96 digs per set.
"Words can't and won't do justice to what (Allyssa) Rizzo has achieved in her career," Jones said. "This year has truly been a highlight in a storied four years. Being first-team all-conference is rewarding for an incredible amount of work and dedication to her craft. Rizzo's consistency has earned the respect of her teammates and the conference, this program is better for her being a Bobcat."
Wilson, a senior outside hitter from Vancouver, Wash., had a break-out year for the Bobcats. Heading into the Big Sky Conference tournament she leads the team with 340 kills. Her 3.43 kills per set ranks fourth in the league. Wilson has been named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week on two occasions this season. She has been in double-digit kills 19 times, including the last eight matches.
"Evi has been a force to be reckoned with this year," Jones said. "She has a passion and enthusiasm that is insatiable. She is determined to leave the No. 17 jersey and Bobcat volleyball better than she found it. There is absolutely no doubt she has done that. Every team we play has to scheme how to stop her, every coach and player in this conference respects her. This award is representative of all the work she has done to improve in her craft, and the respect she has earned in the process."
Scott, a junior from Hawthorne, Calif., made the switch to the right-side this season and found tremendous success. Averaging 2.72 kills per set, she leads the team with a .242 attack mark. Scott has registered 16 matches in double-figure kills, including a season-high 20 against Sacramento State. She has posted ten matches hitting over .300 and has had five matches hitting above .400. Defensively, Scott has notched six double-digit dig matches and eight matches with four or more blocks.
"Hannah is a rare breed; she is a true six rotation player in an era of specialization," Jones said. "She has done a phenomenal job in embracing her adjusted role on the right side this year. She scores at a great clip, is an intimidating block, and has some of the best ball control I have ever witnessed. I am excited for Hannah to receive this honor, it's even more exciting to me that we have another year for her to continue to grow in her craft."
Also named to the All-Big Sky First-Team are Abby Akin and Heaven Harris of Northern Arizona; Daisy Schultz, Taylor Muff and Kailey Jo Ince of Northern Colorado; Sarah Davis of Sacramento State; and Megan Gneiting, Dani Nay and Ashlyn Power of Weber State.
Montana State will play in its second straight Big Sky Conference Tournament when they face host Sacramento State on Thursday, Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. (MT) in opening-round action.
"This is a special group of young women," said MSU head coach Daniel Jones. "We know individual awards are always a reflection of team success. I am excited for this recognition for our program as we set out to achieve something historic and special this week. These conference awards are one step forward for us as we seek to achieve the ultimate goal. "
Rizzo, who was a second-team all-league pick a year ago, established herself as the top libero in the Big Sky Conference this season. Her current season total of 620 digs is just four shy of the all-time Bobcat single-season mark of 624 she set last season. In addition, Rizzo became just the third player in Big Sky history to go over 2,000-digs, a feat she accomplished at Idaho on Nov. 9. Rizzo is presently seventh in the country averaging a Big Sky-best 5.96 digs per set.
"Words can't and won't do justice to what (Allyssa) Rizzo has achieved in her career," Jones said. "This year has truly been a highlight in a storied four years. Being first-team all-conference is rewarding for an incredible amount of work and dedication to her craft. Rizzo's consistency has earned the respect of her teammates and the conference, this program is better for her being a Bobcat."
Wilson, a senior outside hitter from Vancouver, Wash., had a break-out year for the Bobcats. Heading into the Big Sky Conference tournament she leads the team with 340 kills. Her 3.43 kills per set ranks fourth in the league. Wilson has been named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week on two occasions this season. She has been in double-digit kills 19 times, including the last eight matches.
"Evi has been a force to be reckoned with this year," Jones said. "She has a passion and enthusiasm that is insatiable. She is determined to leave the No. 17 jersey and Bobcat volleyball better than she found it. There is absolutely no doubt she has done that. Every team we play has to scheme how to stop her, every coach and player in this conference respects her. This award is representative of all the work she has done to improve in her craft, and the respect she has earned in the process."
Scott, a junior from Hawthorne, Calif., made the switch to the right-side this season and found tremendous success. Averaging 2.72 kills per set, she leads the team with a .242 attack mark. Scott has registered 16 matches in double-figure kills, including a season-high 20 against Sacramento State. She has posted ten matches hitting over .300 and has had five matches hitting above .400. Defensively, Scott has notched six double-digit dig matches and eight matches with four or more blocks.
"Hannah is a rare breed; she is a true six rotation player in an era of specialization," Jones said. "She has done a phenomenal job in embracing her adjusted role on the right side this year. She scores at a great clip, is an intimidating block, and has some of the best ball control I have ever witnessed. I am excited for Hannah to receive this honor, it's even more exciting to me that we have another year for her to continue to grow in her craft."
Also named to the All-Big Sky First-Team are Abby Akin and Heaven Harris of Northern Arizona; Daisy Schultz, Taylor Muff and Kailey Jo Ince of Northern Colorado; Sarah Davis of Sacramento State; and Megan Gneiting, Dani Nay and Ashlyn Power of Weber State.
Montana State will play in its second straight Big Sky Conference Tournament when they face host Sacramento State on Thursday, Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. (MT) in opening-round action.
Players Mentioned
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