Jones Cautiously Optimistic as Bobcat Volleyball Squad Opens Preseason Drills
8/13/2019 5:53:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Third-year Montana State head volleyball coach Daniel Jones said he’s cautiously optimistic about his program just six practices into the season. For the first time in his five years with the Bobcats, Jones can rely on a squad laced with veteran talent.
BOZEMAN, Mont. – Third-year Montana State head volleyball coach Daniel Jones said he's cautiously optimistic about his program just six practices into the season. For the first time in his five years with the Bobcats, Jones can rely on a squad laced with veteran talent.
The team features three seniors and six juniors returning from a squad that went 11-19 overall and 6-12 in Big Sky Conference play last fall; making the program's first league tournament since the 2012 campaign.
"We're right about where I thought we would be at this point of the preseason," Jones said. "Finally, in my career at MSU, we're an older team. We have experience that we can lean on. And, add to that some dynamic underclassmen and finally we're at a point where we have the experience to know how we want to play and we have the experience to know what it takes to be good to advance to the conference tournament and beyond."
Headlining the Bobcat roster are seniors Allyssa Rizzo, Evi Wilson and Sydney Mathison. Rizzo, a libero from Crestwood, Ill., is on pace to rewrite the Bobcats record book. Last year, she set the single-season mark with 624 digs. Rizzo is just 253 saves away from becoming MSU's all-time leader in digs.
Wilson, an outside hitter from Vancouver, Wash., posted 274 kills last season averaging 2.58 per set, which is the second highest production of any returning player. Mathison was sidelined most of last fall, returns as one of two setters looking for a starting spot.
Four freshmen and three sophomores round out the MSU roster, and according to Jones, after watching film on Sunday and then again on Wednesday, he has seen big improvements in the areas where the players have been challenged.
"The first few days have been very productive," Jones commented. "We have a lot of high-level competition in the gym. I said to the group already that the foundation that we're building at this time of the year has exceeded the level we've been at in previous years.
"The work they've done this summer is evident," Jones continued. "There is a basic understanding of the systems and that's without our involvement. It's quite nice because we're going in refining and giving them some advanced concepts with the systems, rather than having to start from scratch."
Montana State fans will get their first opportunity to see the 2019 edition of Bobcat volleyball on Saturday with the annual Blue/Gold scrimmage. The scrimmage begins at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym and is free and open to the public.
The team features three seniors and six juniors returning from a squad that went 11-19 overall and 6-12 in Big Sky Conference play last fall; making the program's first league tournament since the 2012 campaign.
"We're right about where I thought we would be at this point of the preseason," Jones said. "Finally, in my career at MSU, we're an older team. We have experience that we can lean on. And, add to that some dynamic underclassmen and finally we're at a point where we have the experience to know how we want to play and we have the experience to know what it takes to be good to advance to the conference tournament and beyond."
Headlining the Bobcat roster are seniors Allyssa Rizzo, Evi Wilson and Sydney Mathison. Rizzo, a libero from Crestwood, Ill., is on pace to rewrite the Bobcats record book. Last year, she set the single-season mark with 624 digs. Rizzo is just 253 saves away from becoming MSU's all-time leader in digs.
Wilson, an outside hitter from Vancouver, Wash., posted 274 kills last season averaging 2.58 per set, which is the second highest production of any returning player. Mathison was sidelined most of last fall, returns as one of two setters looking for a starting spot.
Four freshmen and three sophomores round out the MSU roster, and according to Jones, after watching film on Sunday and then again on Wednesday, he has seen big improvements in the areas where the players have been challenged.
"The first few days have been very productive," Jones commented. "We have a lot of high-level competition in the gym. I said to the group already that the foundation that we're building at this time of the year has exceeded the level we've been at in previous years.
"The work they've done this summer is evident," Jones continued. "There is a basic understanding of the systems and that's without our involvement. It's quite nice because we're going in refining and giving them some advanced concepts with the systems, rather than having to start from scratch."
Montana State fans will get their first opportunity to see the 2019 edition of Bobcat volleyball on Saturday with the annual Blue/Gold scrimmage. The scrimmage begins at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym and is free and open to the public.
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