At No. 2 in this week's Tom's Top 10 volleyball teams is a tie between 2000 and 2002.
By: Tom Schulz
When the Bobcat volleyball coaches approached me to do a top 20 countdown of the all-time greatest players during my era with the program, I instantly hesitated. The reason: I didn't want to step on any toes because Montana State has had a plethora of talented athletes since my first year in 1988, which was also the first season women competed under the Big Sky Conference umbrella.
I knew if I had to list players from 1-20 my Facebook message box would light-up with former athletes putting in their two cents. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy corresponding with former players and the group I usually hear from holds a special place in my heart. They were good, funny, and full of shenanigans.
So, as I thought about the list, the idea to do a top 10 favorite teams list suddenly became much more palatable. Over the course of the next ten weeks, while we all look for things to do with our Thursday and Saturday nights without volleyball in Shroyer Gym, I will revisit ten teams which during my 32 years covering the Cats standout in the back of my cobwebbed mind. Again, these are not necessarily the best teams, but the teams that have had an impact on Bobcat Athletics, Montana State University, and my career as Sports Information Director.
I would also be remiss if I didn't mention that before the Bobcats started play in the Big Sky Conference, there were some amazing teams in the '70s and early '80s led by some of the best coaches in the country. Names like Terrall, Moe, McKinzie, Williams-McMullan, Wagner, McCanlies, Ditchfield, Kinney, Usitalo, Koughan, Ryan, Cruz, Griffith and Dirks set the foundation for what Bobcat volleyball is today, and they will always be remembered in the annals of Bobcat history.
No. 2 – Tie 2000 and 2002
The 2000 Bobcats
2000 signaled in the international invasion.
The 2002 Bobcat Volleyball team.
Following the graduation of MSU's large and stellar 1999 class that went 76-40 over the course of four years, the Bobcats welcomed seven freshmen to fill in around senior Stephanie Laya, juniors Julia Handwerk, Lorraine Morrison and Lindsay Stobbs, and sophomores Aimee Halyk and Becca Owens.
The newcomers represented five countries including the United States (Marcie Dickey, Erin Patera), Canada (Falin Schaefer, Lisa Webb), Australia (Anne Watts), Sweden (Karin Lundqvist) and Germany (Silke Niemeyer).
"After graduating such a big class that contributed in so many ways to the program the season before, we were able to appeal to a lot of kids because we had such a nice package at Montana State- a winning team, tremendous crowds and a great University," said former MSU head coach Dave Gantt. "Kids knew that they could come in right away and challenge to play. As a coaching staff, we had to find opportunities for them to get on the floor."
Laya was a known factor. She was coming off a junior season that saw her garner First-Team All-Big Sky Conference honors after recording 437 kills, which at the time was the fifth highest single-season performance in Bobcat history.
Junior Julia Handwerk was beginning to come into her own as a middle blocker racking up 221 kills and an impressive 150 blocks. Lorraine Morrison made the transition from outside hitter to setter and sophomore redshirt Aimee Halyk manned the rightside spot.
"We had a solid group returning and just needed to add pieces to the puzzle," Gantt said. "We were able to use our recruiting ties and lure some top-level kids to Montana State."
Schaefer, who the Bobcat coaching staff had their sights set on as a prep player, chose Penn State over Montana State. But when things didn't work out in Happy Valley, legendary coach and Gantt friend Russ Rose helped Schaefer return to Bozeman.
Anne Watts, a product of Kangaroo Flat, Australia, came from a Gantt contact while he coached with the US Men's National team. Gantt coached with Brad Saindon, a former Colorado head coach. Saindon also coached the Australian women's Olympic team. Watts tried out for the squad, but Saindon knew she wouldn't make the team, but wanted her to stay in the system, so sent her to play collegiately in the United States and thought Gantt and MSU would be a great fit.
The Bobcats used the contact of assistant coach Jerry Wagner to land Karin Lundqvist, who was playing club ball in Sweden.
Those three additions would pay big dividends.
"Who you knew, who you knew you could trust, and knowing the right people in the recruiting game paid off for us," Gantt said. "I called it my trapline."
The mix of returners and newcomers meshed from the start as the Bobcats went 10-1 in non-conference action with its lone loss a 3-2 decision. Following its loss to Radford, MSU rattled off an 11-match win streak, which included the opening week of Big Sky action.
"The freshmen came into preseason and in a short time we came together as a group," said Aimee Halyk. "The season before we had great chemistry and sort of a sixth sense on what we were doing on the court. The 2000 group had a ton of strength and talent on paper and we were fortunate that when they came in, it was 'boom', and everyone was ready to go.
"We got along from the start," Halyk added. "It just worked for us."
Depth also played a big role in the team's success as 11 different players saw court time. "Our depth was well orchestrated," Gantt commented. "And the transition by (Lorraine) Morrison to the setting spot went smoothly. She became an offensive threat and was a big, physical presence which brought another dimension to our offense."
The 2000 squad finished with a 21-8 overall mark and a 10-6 Big Sky slate. During the non-conference portion of the schedule, the Bobcats defeated Power 5 schools West Virginia, Oklahoma, and TCU. The squad played in 11 matches that went five sets, going 6-5 in those contests
The Bobcats made its fifth straight Big Sky Conference appearance, defeating Cal State Northridge 3-1, before falling to host Sacramento State the next evening 3-2. MSU also posted its third straight 20-win season.
Side Outs:
Stephanie Laya finished her career with 1,260 kills, which is the fourth highest number in MSU history…Laya ranks first all-time with 3,774 career attacks…Anne Watts finished 2000 with 459 kills, which at the time was the 4th highest total in single-season history…Watts would eventually transfer to Oregon State after her sophomore season…Halyk pounded down 306 kills during her sophomore campaign, while adding 245 digs…Morrison dished out 1,505 assists, which is the second-best single-season performance in Bobcat history…Karin Lundqvist ended the season with 234 kills and led the team with a .312 attack percentage…Lundqvist also added a team-high 161 total blocks…Lundqvist eventually transferred to the University of Hawaii to continue her career following her sophomore season…"Those kids that transferred figured out how good they were and went onto bigger programs." -Gantt…Watts, who was the Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year, became just one of a handful of Bobcat players to ever record over 400 kills and 300 digs in a season…Lisa Webb Hodgins, along with her family, are currently raising chickens in a school bus.
The 2002 Bobcats
The 2002 season saw the end of an era and culminated, in perhaps, the best night in the history of the program.
The 2002 Bobcat Volleyball Team.
Nov. 15, 2002 was head coach Dave Gantt's final home match at the helm of the Bobcat program. He had announced his retirement earlier in the season.
Under a light drizzle and a 28-degree evening, Bobcat fans started pouring into the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse to watch the Bobcats face its arch-rival, Montana, and witness Gantt's swan song. A state of Montana record 6,378 fans jammed Worthington Arena, and along with a state-wide television audience, watched MSU dispatch the Lady Griz 30-24, 26-30, 30-21, 26-30, 15-10.
"That was the epitome of playing volleyball at the highest level," said then senior Aimee Halyk. "It was like playing professionally. I still get out my scrapbook and show my kids and players what the atmosphere was like.
"Coach Gantt was so well respected by the community, state, and everyone around the country associated with the game," Halyk continued. "Everyone showed up. I remember the place erupting in cheers. There was so much emotion that you just had to take a deep breath to catch yourself on almost every play. It was also Senior Night, and it was just awesome. A great reward for investing so much time into the program. And to beat Montana, was the cherry on top."
Halyk and teammate Lindsay Stobbs were MSU's two seniors that had been a part of the program since 1998. The third senior was Ana Schanze, who came to Bozeman for just one year.
And, what a year it was.
The Bobcats posted a 21-10 overall mark and a 10-4 Big Sky record. The squad posted non-conference victories over notable programs like Seton Hall, Butler, Gonzaga, Southern Mississippi, North Carolina State and Dartmouth. The season was highlighted by a sweep of the Grizzlies and an 8-2 run to close out the regular season.
Halyk guided MSU with 362 kills from her rightside position, which included a hefty .294 attack mark and 135 blocks (1.12 bps). For her efforts, she was named second-team all-Big Sky Conference.
Schanze also made the most of her only season in the Blue and Gold recording 293 kills, a .332 attack mark, and a single-season school-record 169 blocks assists and 191 total blocks. Schanze's 169 block assists are still the second most ever recorded in a single-season in Big Sky history and her 191 total blocks ranks third in the modern era of the league. Her 1.71 blocks per set ranked among the top 10 in the nation.
"Ana was so strong and was so in the game," Halyk said. "She was never lacking in her play. Ana knew what had to be done and she was present every moment. Unbelievable. She was an amazing addition"
According to Gantt, assistant coach Jerry Wagner was responsible for Schanze coming to Montana State. Wagner had a good line on German kids.
"She was a woman among girls," Gantt said of Schanze. "What an impact she had."
Schanze came up through the Croatian junior program and played nine years of club ball in Hamburg, Germany.
"The team met me at the airport," Schanze said. "What a surprise and great gesture, so I loved them right away."
Schanze was making her first ever visit to the United States and was the first in her family to do so, as well.
"I wanted to come to Montana State because of the location," Schanze said. "I so badly wanted to play volleyball in the US. It was a huge step for me.
"My time at MSU was too short," she added. "It was so special and one of the best times of my life. It's still such a treasure to have experienced that. I can't put it into words. The coaches, the team, the whole athletic department were wonderful to me and the fan support was so encouraging. My daughter is now 14 and she is now addicted to Bozeman and MSU and wants to come over. She plays basketball, though."
Montana State also received a significant contribution from its other starting middle, Megan Zanto, a redshirt freshman. The Helena product finished the season with 229 kills, a .319 attack mark and 154 blocks.
Along with Halyk, outside hitters LeAnn Kinvig, Meggie Malyurek and Nikki Donald helped the team to one of the most efficient offenses and defenses in the history of the program. As a team, the Bobcats hit .234 from the field, averaging 14.1 kills per set.
Defensively, MSU had four players record over 100 blocks- the first team to ever do so. MSU's 3.53 blocks per set ranked among the country's best and its 16.15 digs per set ranked among the top in the Big Sky Conference.
Quarterbacking the Bobcat system was Roundup native Kamber Kelly, a 5-9 setter who garnered Big Sky Freshman of the Years honors the previous season. Kelly dished out 1,289 assists, which still ranks fifth on MSU's single-season list. Kelly also added 344 digs and 106 blocks, en route to being named to the league's honorable mention squad.
"Kamber made us what we were," Halyk said. "She pushed us to be our best."
At the Big Sky tournament in Cheney, Wash., MSU defeated Portland State 3-1, before dropping a 3-2 decision to its arch nemesis Sacramento State.
"I've done a lot of reflecting," Gantt said. "Those kids were some of the most talented I've ever coached. It's a group I'll never forget."
Bobcat fans will also never forget that November evening when the 'Glory Days' of Bobcat volleyball finished under Gantt's guidance. Gantt ended his career with a 159-96 record, making him the winningest coach in the history of the program. He also produced four 20-win teams, and aside from his first season in 1994, strung together eight consecutive winning seasons.
"I still have so many fond memories," Gantt said. "So many kids, so many players, so many people made it possible. But that November night was the pinnacle."
Road Warriors:
Don and Doretta Halyk are in the Bobcat Hall of Fame for Dedicated Parents. The parents of Aimee Halyk never missed a home match in four years. The twosome would make the 11 ½ hour trip (one way) by heading west to Regina and then down to Sidney, Glendive, Miles City, Billings, and then straight into Bozeman.
"My dad, a man of many words, made so many friends along that route," Halyk said. "It was to the point where the border patrol would ask how the team was doing. They knew everything about my family. My family has so many great memories traveling to Bozeman.
"I remember my parents calling me once saying the back windshield had blown out around Miles City," Halyk recalled. "But dad found someone to help them and called me back to say that they'd be there for first serve."
Side Outs:
Halyk spent her senior offseason working in the potash mine in Esterhazy. She packed her lunch every day. Esterhazy is the Potash Capital of the World…Halyk was named an All-American by the National Strength and Conditioning Association…Lindsay Stobbs was the first player from the Land of Hockey to attend MSU under Dave Gantt, the first in what eventually became a very solid pipeline…following her freshman season, Stobbs was a member of the Canadian National Junior team…Ana Schanze was named First-Team All-Big Sky Conference and garnered All-Big Sky Tournament kudos as well in her only season in Bozeman…the 2002 squad finished ninth in the nation with a team grade-point average of 3.51…Natalie Paredes married former Bobcat basketball player Calvin Ento…according to the 2002 media guide, Halyk is a very talented perogy-maker, while Malyurek is a horsewomen, and Kinvig an excellent tractor washer…And finally, a question in the media guide asked players what Coach Gantt reminded them of…Stobbs: A gazelle; Kelly: A chicken; and Halyk: My dad, because he's so competitive, caring and willing to go the distance for anyone and will always be truthful, no matter what.
2000 Roster:
1- Anne Watts – OH – 6-0 – Fr – Kangaroo Flat, Australia
2- Marcie Dickey – S – 5-6 – Fr – Helena, Mont.
4- Erin Patera – OH -5-9 – Fr – Havre, Mont.
5- Stephanie Laya – OH – 5-10 – Sr – Ranchester, Wyo.
7- Becca Owens – DS – 5-6 – So – Laurel, Md.
8- Julia Handwerk – MB – 6-1 – Jr – Great Falls, Mont.
10- Lisa Webb – OH – 5-10 – Fr – McAuley, Manitoba
11- Karin Lundqvist – MB – 6-3 – Skarholmen, Sweden
12- Lindsay Stobbs – MB – 6-1 – Jr – Weldon, Sask.
13- Aimee Halyk – OH – 6-0 – So – Esterhazy, Sask.
14- Silke Niemeyer – MB – 5-11 – So – Stade, Germany
15- Lorraine Morrison – S- 6-0 – Jr – Casper, Wyo.
16- Falin Schaefer – OH – 6-1 – Fr – Yellow Grass, Sask.
Head Coach: Dave Gantt
Assistant Coach: Jerry Wagner, Miya Malauulu
Where are They Now:
1- Anne Watts Roberts, Atlanta, Georgia
2- Marcie Dickey Gleason, Bozeman, Mont.
4- Erin Patera Bolken, Beaverton, Ore.
5- Stephanie Laya Maughan, Bozeman, MT
7- Becca Owens Johnson, Meridian, Idaho
8- Julia Handwerk Fitzpatrick, Great Falls, Mont.
10- Lisa Webb Hodgins, Lenore, Manitoba
11- Karin Lundqvist, Fortaleza, Brazil
12- Lindsay Stobbs, Zhengzhou, China
13- Aimee Halyk Unchulenko, Esterhazy, Sask.
14- Silke Niemeyer Stade, Germany
15- Lorraine Morrison Thompson, Casper, Wyo.
16- Falin Schaefer, Billings, Mont.
Head Coach: Dave Gantt, Great Falls, Mont.
Assistant Coach: Jerry Wagner, Havre, Mont.
Assistant Coach: Miya Malauulu Usumali'I, Carson, Calif.
2002 Roster:
1- Ana Schanze – MB – 6-0 – Sr – Hamburg, Germany
2- LeAnn Kinvig – OH – 6-0 – So – Sexsmith, Alberta
3- Kamber Kelly – S- 5-9 – So – Roundup, Mont.
4- Natalie Paredes – DS – 5-6 – Jr – Malibu, Calif.
5- Meggie Malyurek – OH – 6-0 – Fr – Big Horn, Wyo.
6- Nikki Donald – OH – 6-0 – Fr – Winnipeg, Manitoba
8- Anglea Wiebe – MB – 6-1 – Fr – Winnipeg, Manitoba
9- Megan Zanto – MB – 6-2 – Fr – Helena, Mont.
11- Kim Stonehouse – OH -6-0 – Fr – Medicine Hat, Alberta
12- Lindsay Stobbs – MB – 6-1 – Sr – Weldon, Sask.
13- Aimee Halyk – OH – 6-0 – Sr – Esterhazy, Sask.
15- Kiki Pemoller – OH -5-11 – Jr – Hamburg, Germany
Head Coach: Dave Gantt
Assistant Coach: Jerry Wagner, Miya Malauulu
Where are They Now:
1- Ana Schanze, Meldorf, Germany
2- LeAnn Kinvig Snyder, Calgary, Alberta
3- Kamber Kelly, Billings, Mont.
4- Natalie Paredes Ento, Malibu, Calif.
5- Meggie Malyurek Jackson, Casper, Wyo.
6- Nikki Donald, Winnipeg, Manitoba
8- Anglea Wiebe Diboll, Winnipeg, Manitoba
9- Megan Zanto Handl, Helena, Mont.
11- Kim Stonehouse, Medicine Hat, Alberta
12- Lindsay Stobbs, Zhengzhou, China
13- Aimee Halyk Unchulenko, Esterhazy, Sask.
15- Kiki Pemoller Sorgenfrey, Hamburg, Germany
Head Coach: Dave Gantt, Great Falls, Mont.
Assistant Coach: Jerry Wagner, Havre, Mont.
Assistant Coach: Miya Malauulu Usumali'I, Carson, Calif.
If any former alum would like to reconnect with Bobcat Volleyball or update their current whereabouts, please email Tom Schulz, Sports Information, with your contact information tschulz@msubobcats.com We would love to hear from you!
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