Tuesday, September 24
Missoula, MT
7 p.m.
Montana State University
at
Montana
Senior Allyssa Rizzo is closing in on the all-time MSU digs mark.
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Brawl of the Wild, Part I
9/23/2019 5:11:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Montana State volleyball team will open its 2019 Big Sky Conference season with the annual Brawl of the Wild match against Montana on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m., in UM's Dahlberg Arena.
BIG SKY CONFERENCE OPENER; CAT-GRIZ; BRAWL OF THE WILD:
The Montana State volleyball team will open its 2019 Big Sky Conference season with the annual Brawl of the Wild match against Montana on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m., in UM's Dahlberg Arena. Since the inception of the Big Sky Conference for women in the fall of 1988, the Bobcats are 11-20 in league openers. Current Bobcat head coach Daniel Jones is 1-1 in Big Sky openers, including a 3-2 victory over Portland State to open the 2018 campaign. Following its match against the Grizzlies, MSU will travel to Greeley, Colo., to face Northern Colorado on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in Bank of Colorado Arena.
A LOOK AT MONTANA AND NORTHERN COLORADO:
MONTANA
1-10, 0-0
Location.................. Missoula, MT
Enrollment........................ 12,500
Nickname....................... Grizzlies
Head Coach....... Allison Lawrence
Years at NSU................... 3rd Year
2018 Record........................ 10-21
Conference....................... Big Sky
2018 Conf. Mark.............. 7-11/7th
Starters Ret./Lost........ 2+Libero/4
NORTHERN COLORADO
6-6, 0-0
Location....................... Greeley, CO
Enrollment........................... 13,437
Nickname.............................. Bears
Head Coach.............. Lyndsey Oates
Years at NSU.................... 14th Year
2018 Record........................... 15-14
Conference.......................... Big Sky
2018 Conf. Mark................. 10-7/6th
Starters Ret./Lost....................... 4/2
CATCH THE CATS:
Pluto TV – Pluto TV is the leading free Internet-based TV service that is available on almost any device. Pluto TV is also available through a free app on mobile and table devices (i.e. iOS and Android), as well as traditional PCs. All content on Pluto TV is free, including its Video on Demand. All Big Sky matches will be available and all MSU home matches will be available to watch on Pluto TV channel 538.
Live Television Broadcast:
SWX will broadcast Tuesday's match. Check your local listing for channels. Spectrum customers can watch on channel 199 outside Billings. In Billings-503
Live Video Stream:
Cat-Griz can be seen at WatchBigSky.com
Live Stats:
Links are available for the Montana match at msubobcats.com
SIDE OUTS:
* MSU holds a 57-56 lead in its all-time series with Montana going back to 1975
* The Cats are 3-1 against the Grizzlies under the tutelage of head coach Daniel Jones
* Montana State & Montana split the series last year, each winning on its home court.
* Northern Colorado holds a 26-3 lead in the series with MSU going back to 1981
* The Cats are 0-4 against the Bears under the direction of head coach Daniel Jones
* Northern Colorado swept the Bobcats (3-0) in both meetings last season
* Allyssa Rizzo is currently ranked third in the nation averaging 6.00 digs per set
* Evi Wilson paces the Bobcats offensively averaging 2.86 kps, while hitting .201
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. Rizzo has her sights set on breaking the all-time Bobcat career digs record of 1,720 set by MSU's first-ever libero Kandice Kelly (2003-06). At the Loyola Chicago Rambler Challenge, she became just the second Bobcat in history to go over 1,600-digs plateau. Rizzo, a product of Crestwood, Ill., needs 37 saves for the new Bobcat milestone.
1. Kandice Kelly, 03-06......... 1,720
2. Allyssa Rizzo, 16--............ 1,684
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 third in the nation averaging 6.00 digs per set. She is ranked behind Charlotte's Yumi Garcia (6.81) and Wright State's Jenna Story (6.70). Rizzo's season and career-high 37 dig output against Northwestern State on Aug. 30 is the eight highest total record this season at the NCAA Division I level. Rizzo leads the Big Sky Conference at 6.00 per set. She is followed by Ellie Snook of Portland State, who averages 4.67 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 nine matches this season, Scott is hitting a team-high .258 from the field. She has posted five matches hitting over .250 this fall, including a season-best .400 (17-3-35) attack mark against Loyola Maryland on Sept. 7.
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 fourth in the league averaging 2.39 blocks per set. MSU also sports two players among the top 10 in the conference. Junior Kelsie White in sixth in the conference averaging 1.17 blocks per set, while freshman Emma Pence is listed seventh at 1.11 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 9.89 assists per set, which ranks second 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 2.03 digs per set is second best on the squad, while her .61 blocks per set average rank fourth on the team.
CLIMBING THE LADDER:
As the Montana State program continues to improve, its numbers within the league's statistical categories have shown remarkable improvement, as well. In the seven team statistical categories, the Bobcats are ranked among the top five teams in six listings. MSU is ranked third in digs (15.42) and opponent hitting percentage (.185); fourth in assists (11.36), kills (12.11) and blocks (2.39), and fifth in hitting percentage (.203).
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 nine matches. The duo has combined for 157 kills, 71 digs and 49 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. Here's a look at where she stands.
BLOCK ASSISTS:
1. Megan Zanto, 02-05......... 511
2. Karen Weyler, 94-97......... 460
3. Cori Carper, 96-99............ 425
4. Angela 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. Kamber Kelly, 01-04.......... 269
-- Kelsie White, 2017--......... 231
TOTAL BLOCKS:
1. Megan Zanto, 02-05......... 592
2. Karen Weyler, 94-97......... 570
3. Cori Carper, 96-99............ 490
4. Angela 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--......... 254
FAN-TASTIC:
The Bobcats saw 935 in attendance last Tuesday for its home opener against Seattle U. MSU is consistently at the top of the Big Sky in attendance and has ranked among the nation's top 50, as well.
The Montana State volleyball team will open its 2019 Big Sky Conference season with the annual Brawl of the Wild match against Montana on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m., in UM's Dahlberg Arena. Since the inception of the Big Sky Conference for women in the fall of 1988, the Bobcats are 11-20 in league openers. Current Bobcat head coach Daniel Jones is 1-1 in Big Sky openers, including a 3-2 victory over Portland State to open the 2018 campaign. Following its match against the Grizzlies, MSU will travel to Greeley, Colo., to face Northern Colorado on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in Bank of Colorado Arena.
A LOOK AT MONTANA AND NORTHERN COLORADO:
MONTANA
1-10, 0-0
Location.................. Missoula, MT
Enrollment........................ 12,500
Nickname....................... Grizzlies
Head Coach....... Allison Lawrence
Years at NSU................... 3rd Year
2018 Record........................ 10-21
Conference....................... Big Sky
2018 Conf. Mark.............. 7-11/7th
Starters Ret./Lost........ 2+Libero/4
NORTHERN COLORADO
6-6, 0-0
Location....................... Greeley, CO
Enrollment........................... 13,437
Nickname.............................. Bears
Head Coach.............. Lyndsey Oates
Years at NSU.................... 14th Year
2018 Record........................... 15-14
Conference.......................... Big Sky
2018 Conf. Mark................. 10-7/6th
Starters Ret./Lost....................... 4/2
CATCH THE CATS:
Pluto TV – Pluto TV is the leading free Internet-based TV service that is available on almost any device. Pluto TV is also available through a free app on mobile and table devices (i.e. iOS and Android), as well as traditional PCs. All content on Pluto TV is free, including its Video on Demand. All Big Sky matches will be available and all MSU home matches will be available to watch on Pluto TV channel 538.
Live Television Broadcast:
SWX will broadcast Tuesday's match. Check your local listing for channels. Spectrum customers can watch on channel 199 outside Billings. In Billings-503
Live Video Stream:
Cat-Griz can be seen at WatchBigSky.com
Live Stats:
Links are available for the Montana match at msubobcats.com
SIDE OUTS:
* MSU holds a 57-56 lead in its all-time series with Montana going back to 1975
* The Cats are 3-1 against the Grizzlies under the tutelage of head coach Daniel Jones
* Montana State & Montana split the series last year, each winning on its home court.
* Northern Colorado holds a 26-3 lead in the series with MSU going back to 1981
* The Cats are 0-4 against the Bears under the direction of head coach Daniel Jones
* Northern Colorado swept the Bobcats (3-0) in both meetings last season
* Allyssa Rizzo is currently ranked third in the nation averaging 6.00 digs per set
* Evi Wilson paces the Bobcats offensively averaging 2.86 kps, while hitting .201
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. Rizzo has her sights set on breaking the all-time Bobcat career digs record of 1,720 set by MSU's first-ever libero Kandice Kelly (2003-06). At the Loyola Chicago Rambler Challenge, she became just the second Bobcat in history to go over 1,600-digs plateau. Rizzo, a product of Crestwood, Ill., needs 37 saves for the new Bobcat milestone.
1. Kandice Kelly, 03-06......... 1,720
2. Allyssa Rizzo, 16--............ 1,684
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 third in the nation averaging 6.00 digs per set. She is ranked behind Charlotte's Yumi Garcia (6.81) and Wright State's Jenna Story (6.70). Rizzo's season and career-high 37 dig output against Northwestern State on Aug. 30 is the eight highest total record this season at the NCAA Division I level. Rizzo leads the Big Sky Conference at 6.00 per set. She is followed by Ellie Snook of Portland State, who averages 4.67 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 nine matches this season, Scott is hitting a team-high .258 from the field. She has posted five matches hitting over .250 this fall, including a season-best .400 (17-3-35) attack mark against Loyola Maryland on Sept. 7.
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 fourth in the league averaging 2.39 blocks per set. MSU also sports two players among the top 10 in the conference. Junior Kelsie White in sixth in the conference averaging 1.17 blocks per set, while freshman Emma Pence is listed seventh at 1.11 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 9.89 assists per set, which ranks second 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 2.03 digs per set is second best on the squad, while her .61 blocks per set average rank fourth on the team.
CLIMBING THE LADDER:
As the Montana State program continues to improve, its numbers within the league's statistical categories have shown remarkable improvement, as well. In the seven team statistical categories, the Bobcats are ranked among the top five teams in six listings. MSU is ranked third in digs (15.42) and opponent hitting percentage (.185); fourth in assists (11.36), kills (12.11) and blocks (2.39), and fifth in hitting percentage (.203).
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 nine matches. The duo has combined for 157 kills, 71 digs and 49 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. Here's a look at where she stands.
BLOCK ASSISTS:
1. Megan Zanto, 02-05......... 511
2. Karen Weyler, 94-97......... 460
3. Cori Carper, 96-99............ 425
4. Angela 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. Kamber Kelly, 01-04.......... 269
-- Kelsie White, 2017--......... 231
TOTAL BLOCKS:
1. Megan Zanto, 02-05......... 592
2. Karen Weyler, 94-97......... 570
3. Cori Carper, 96-99............ 490
4. Angela 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--......... 254
FAN-TASTIC:
The Bobcats saw 935 in attendance last Tuesday for its home opener against Seattle U. MSU is consistently at the top of the Big Sky in attendance and has ranked among the nation's top 50, as well.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
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