Friday Digs: Libby Christensen

Libby Christensen has been the ultimate team player. One of three players that has anchored the backrow for the Bobcats over the past three seasons, Christensen will battle for the starting libero spot this fall. A steady presence for MSU, she recorded a season-high 11 digs against Loyola Maryland and had seven saves against Montana. The three-time all-Big Sky Conference Academic pick has established herself as a leader both on and off the court.

CATCHING UP WITH LIBBY:

1). Can you give us an update on your current status?
I am currently at home in Northern California enjoying lots of family time and I am returning to Bozeman on June 1st. I have been swimming, working out, playing beach volleyball, reading, and playing a lot of card games with my family since I have been home. While I was still in Bozeman, I was doing a lot of my school-work as well as hiking and staying consistent with working out with all my roommates.

I think this has been such an unusual and crazy and somewhat scary time with everything going on in the world. I am getting a minor in global health, so I have been closely following all the things that have to do with the coronavirus. There has been a lot of uncertainty and as the days pass, we are learning more about what is going on with our season and our school year and just this virus in general.

I think this has been particularly unusual for student-athletes who are so used to having such a packed schedule all the time to go to a completely open and free schedule and having to motivate yourself and your teammates to make strides towards our individual and team goals. I can't remember the last time I went this long without playing volleyball in a team setting.

This has been a huge mental reset to me and my body but it has also shown me that my goals are in my hands right now and what I want to accomplish is completely up to how hard I am willing to work and push myself during this time.

This has also been a great time for me to reflect on certain things and try and get my ducks in a row a little bit in terms of what my plans are when I graduate and the steps to achieve goals outside of volleyball.

The team has also used this as a time to connect and further our relationships. We have team bonding time that is set up once a week and they are usually fun activities we do and send them in to our group chat or even just a group zoom call to make sure we are all still connected.

2). How do you think the spring volleyball season was progressing before everything shut down?
I think we were making huge strides as a team during this spring season. It was exciting to see us progressing and attacking the goals we as a team had set for ourselves and the goals we have individually set for ourselves. It has been crazy to see the evolution of our team since I started as a freshman in this program. The work ethic of every single one of my teammates is some of the hardest work ethics I have ever gotten the privilege to play with. Also, being able to practice and compete with and against each other has been so much fun. We always say in our gym "iron sharpens iron" and that was definitely happening in our gym this spring. I also think we were making huge strides in the mental aspects of our game as well. We were connecting with each other and we were studying film and it was just really amazing to see how dedicated everyone is to achieving our individual and team goals. It was pretty disappointing to have our spring season end early because of the great strides we were making as a team, but I know the dedication of our team and the coronavirus has not stopped us from still working hard.

3). What are your goals heading into the fall and what are the expectations for the team?
I think obviously our goal is to be the first team in Bobcat volleyball history to win a Big Sky championship. The whole team was able to see when the women's basketball team won their season championship this year, and I think that gave us another little spark to work hard so that can be us this fall. I think that our team has all the potential to do that this year and I can't wait to put it into action and get back into the gym with my team.

HEAD COACH DANIEL JONES ON LIBBY CHRISTENSENI:
"Libby has grown steadily over her time at Montana State, developing into a fine libero and in her role as a leader on the team. She is going to be in a really solid group of liberos who are going to compete to fill the considerable gap that is left with the graduation of Allyssa Rizzo. Central to Libby's growth has been Libby's commitment to doing everything she can to be the best that she can be. She sets a high standard for herself and her team through her dedication to watching film, asking questions to push her own improvement, and seeking to grow relationships with everyone we depend on. I have no doubt, from what I have seen so far, that Libby has all the tools necessary to step in and be a leader on the court as well as continue to lead us off the court where she has been an integral part of our leadership group for the past two years."

CHRISTENSEN'S PLAYING BIO:

JUNIOR (2019):
Saw action in all 29 matches, including 102 sets…recorded 58 total digs, averaging .57 per set…registered a season-best 11 digs against Loyola Maryland and seven saves against Montana…posted six aces on the season…was an all-Big Sky Conference Academic selection.

SOPHOMORE (2018):
Christensen played in 101 sets for the Bobcats averaging 1.53 digs per outing as a defensive specialist...in all totaled 155 digs, which included seven matches in double-digit saves...recorded a season-best 15 digs on two occasions coming against SMU and Southern Utah...registered eight service aces on the season...notched a season-high two aces in Montana State's Big Sky Conference Tournament match against Northern Arizona...dished out ten assists, including season-best two assists against Idaho State...was an All-Big Sky Conference Academic honoree.

FRESHMAN (2017):
Played in 42 sets for the Bobcats, including one start against Montana...averaged 1.21 digs per set...recorded two matches in double-figure digs, including a season-high 13 saves against Portland State...tallied five total service aces with a season-best two aces at Eastern Washington...was an All-Big Sky Conference Academic honoree.

HIGH SCHOOL:
Christensen prepped at Vacaville High School and helped the Bulldogs to a 23-4 overall mark last fall and a 77-13 mark during her career under the tutelage of head coach Allison Loera. A two-time team captain, she led Vacaville High to the Monticello Empire League title, including an undefeated season as a senior. For her efforts, Christensen was a three-time MVP and garnered all-league accolades, as well. Christensen's club experience is mainly with the Five Starz Volleyball Club out of Davis, Calif., where she was part of five Girls Junior National Championship qualifying squads, including Gold medalist in the 2015 National Division. Last season, she played with the Northern California Volleyball Club.

PERSONAL:
The daughter of Chris and Lisa Christensen, she also lettered twice in track and field and was a four-time scholar-athlete. Her father Chris attended Montana State from 1980-84, while Lisa attended MSU from 1982-86.

Schedule

Players Mentioned

Libby Christensen

Allyssa Rizzo

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