Montana State University
Eastern Washington
Cats Hit Big Sky Road
11/6/2019 2:12:00 PM | General, Women's Volleyball
The Montana State volleyball team will hop on the bus and head up I-90 for a pair of matches this weekend. The Bobcats will face Eastern Washington, Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. (MT) in Cheney.
BOBCATS FACE TWO MATCHES IN THE NORTHWEST:
The Montana State volleyball team will hop on the bus and head up I-90 for a pair of matches this weekend. The Bobcats will face Eastern Washington, Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. (MT) in Cheney. MSU will finish the weekend with a Saturday matinee' at the University of Idaho in Moscow. First serve is slated for 2 p.m. Earlier this season, the Bobcats defeated Idaho, 3-1, and Eastern Washington, 3-0, in Shroyer Gym. That weekend sweep of the Vandals and Eagles was the first for Montana State since the 2013 season. Following this week's play, MSU will play its final two matches in Shroyer Gym Nov. 14 & 16.
SIDE OUTS:
* Montana State trails Eastern Washington 55-27 in its all-time series going back to 1980
* MSU has won four straight matches over the Eagles, including a 3-0 win on Oct. 5
* Daniel Jones is 4-1 all-time against Eastern Washington as MSU's head coach
* Montana State trails Idaho 38-10 in its all-time series going back to the 1976 season
* With a 3-1 win over Idaho on Oct. 3, MSU snapped a 23-match losing streak to the Vandals
* Montana State's last victory in Moscow, 3-2, came on Nov. 3, 1989 in Memorial Gym
* Allyssa Rizzo is Montana State's all-time career digs leader with 1,965 digs
* Rizzo needs 35 digs to become the third player in Big Sky history to go over 2,000 digs
* Rizzo is currently ranked fifth in the nation averaging 5.99 digs per set
* Rizzo has been named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week on three occasions this fall
* Senior Evi Wilson led MSU offensively last weekend averaging 3.67 kps and hitting .253
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 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 1,965- making her the only Bobcat in history to go over the 1,900-dig plateau. The Crestwood, Ill., product ranks third all-time in Big Sky Conference history, as well.
1. Allyssa Rizzo, 16--............ 1,965
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 5.99 digs per set. She is ranked behind Charlotte's Yumi Garcia (6.64), Wright State's Jenna Story (6.53), Loyola Maryland's Katie Forsythe (6.22) and Fordham's Morgan Williams (6.09). Rizzo's career-high 37-dig output against Northwestern State on is the 14th highest total recorded this season at the NCAA Division I level, while her 34-save effort against Loyola Maryland is the ninth highest total for a four-set match. Rizzo leads the Big Sky at 5.99 per set. She is followed by Ellie Snook of Portland State, who averages 5.44 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 2.46 blocks per set. MSU also sports two players among the top 10 in the conference. Junior Kelsie White in fourth in the conference averaging 1.17 blocks per set, while freshman Emma Pence is listed fifth at 1.14 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. Natalee Godfrey, 12-15.... 271
10. Kelsie White, 2017--......... 270
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--......... 301
GREAT SCOTT:
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 11 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 21 matches this season, Scott is hitting a .235 from the field. She has posted 11 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 9.58 assists per set, which ranks fourth in the Big Sky Conference. On the season, she has registered seven 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 18 aces. She has recorded a season-high three aces on two occasions this fall, the last coming against Arkansas on Aug. 31. Defensively, her 2.07 digs per set is third best on the squad, while her .59 blocks per set average ranks fifth 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 five listings. MSU is ranked first in opponent aces (0.98), third in blocks (2.46), four in opponent hitting percentage (.191) and fifth in opponent blocks (2.01) and digs (13.54).
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 impact for MSU playing in all 21 matches. The duo has combined for 369 kills, 204 digs and 120 blocks. Last weekend, Thomsen averaged 2.93 kills and 2.83 digs per set. She recorded a double-double against Big Sky-leading Northern Colorado with 12 kills and 11 digs. Pence averaged 1.64 kills and 1.17 blocks per set, last weekend against Montana and UNC.
FAN-TASTIC:
The Cats average 975 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. MSU is currently listed at No. 53.
STATING A FACT:
Of the nation's 'State' schools, when it comes to attendance #53 Montana State ranks behind #6 Penn State, #7 Michigan State, #12 Colorado State, #15 Iowa State, #26 Ohio State, #32 Arizona State, #35 Texas State, #36 Oregon State, #40 Kansas State and #43 Illinois State. Ranked behind the Bobcats are North Carolina State, New Mexico State, Florida State, Washington State, North Dakota State, Idaho State, Utah State, Missouri State, Mississippi State, South Dakota State, Arkansas State, Tennessee State, Georgia State, Indiana State, Alabama State, Delaware State, and finally, South Carolina State.
DIGGING IT:
Allyssa Rizzo currently ranks third all-time in Big Sky Conference history for career digs. Here is the league's all-time top 10 in the save department.
1. Kristin Lutes, SAC, 03-06..... 2,355
2. Haylie Keck, ISU, 16--.......... 2,164
3. Allyssa Rizzo, MSU, 16-...... 1,965
4. Breanne Menees, SAC, 08-11 1,948
5. Sariah Pelaez, SUU, 13-16... 1,900
6. Anna Gott, NAU, 09-12....... 1,891
7. Jackie White, UM, 04-07..... 1,836
8. McKenzie Hart, UND, 12-15 1,804
9. Lexie Skalbeck, SAC, 13-16.. 1,756
10.... Amanda Arterburn, UNC, 08-11 1,735
MAY I ASSIST YOU?:
Junior setter Allie Lynch is slowly creeping up the all-time Montana State assists chart. The Bozeman native went over the 1,000-assist plateau against Portland State on Oct. 24. Former Bobcat standout Brooke Olsen-Roush (1996-99) holds the all-time Bobcats record set back in the old 15-point scoring era. Here's a look at MSU's all-time Top 10, and where Lynch stands:
1. Brooke Olsen, 1996-99....... 4,712
2. Kamber Kelly, 2001-04........ 3,751
3. Jennifer Lundquist, 2009-12 2,500
4. Lorraine Morrison, 1999-01 2,293
5. Kira Laden, 1995-96............ 1,893
6. Marsha Dirks, 1985-87........ 1,785
7. Katie Harrington, 2014-15... 1,779
8. Stacey Nielsen, 1987-89...... 1,735
9. Christi Ryan, 1984-85.......... 1,497
10.................... Sarah Allen, 2006-07 1,376
-- Allie Lynch, 2016-- 1,147
