Friday Digs: Kira Thomsen
7/10/2020 7:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The fiery outside hitter never backed down from going up against the veterans of the league and established herself as an offensive sparkplug and a ‘go-to’ option when needed most.
Every Friday from now until the beginning of the volleyball season will we spotlight a member of the Bobcat volleyball program. Now up: Kira Thomsen.
Players like Kira Thomsen are a coach's dream. The product of Parker, Colo., had an outstanding debut in the Blue & Gold, finishing her first season ranked among the top 10 in the Big Sky Conference in kills per set. The fiery outside hitter never backed down from going up against the veterans of the league and established herself as an offensive sparkplug and a 'go-to' option when needed most. And, while her freshman season was very successful, Thomsen knows there is room for improvement. Bobcat fans should look forward to three more years with Thomsen, and the coming together of talent and growth that could culminate in her becoming one of the best to ever play on the Shroyer Gym court.
CATCHING UP WITH KIRA:
1). Can you give us an update on your current status?
Currently, I am back in Bozeman continuing summer training as we are allowed, working, as well as adventuring and exploring Montana. I think this is a really interesting time. I try to keep myself sane by not stressing about the unknowns and trying to go with the flow as best I can.
2). How do you think the spring volleyball season was progressing before everything shut down?
I think spring was going really well and we were making great progress on the court and in the weight room.
3). What are your goals heading into the fall and what are the expectations for the team?
My goal is to advance my play and volleyball IQ to help our team be as successful as we can this fall with our eyes being set on a Big Sky Conference championship.
HEAD COACH DANIEL JONES ON KIRA THOMSEN:
"In her first year Kira proved that she is the kind of athlete who can be labelled as an 'ultimate competitor'. She's the kind of athlete who relishes the challenge of going up against the best, as she wants to prove that she is the best. Kira brings a spark to our gym every day that cannot be undervalued. She knows she has a lot of room to grow, which is always the most exciting thing with any of our athletes – when they realize the work they need to do and invest in it. I'm excited to see what Kira can achieve this year, she has high expectations for herself, and we share those expectations."
THOMSEN'S PLAYING BIO:
FRESHMAN (2019):
Thomsen had an outstanding debut in the Blue & Gold playing and starting in all 29 matches, including 110 sets…was second on the squad with 332 kills, averaging 3.02 kills per set…her 3.18 kills per set average in Big Sky Conference play ranked ninth in the league…posted 22 double-figure kill matches, including a streak of nine straight double-digit kill matches to close out the 2019 season…had a season-best 22 kills in MSU's 3-2 win over Sacramento State in Shroyer Gym…finished the season hitting .166 from the floor…notched 254 digs, averaging 2.31 per set…logged nine double-figure digs matches, including a season-high 24 digs in MSU's 3-1 victory over Idaho State…in all, recorded eight double-doubles…led team with 29 services aces, averaging .32 per outing…registered a career-high six aces in Montana State win over Sacramento State in opening round of the Big Sky Conference tournament…had five multiple ace matches…recorded 35 blocks…her five blocks against Northern Colorado in semifinal action of the Big Sky tournament were a season-best…recorded seven matches hitting .300 or above from the field…notched season-high .474 (10-1-19) attack mark as the Bobcats swept Idaho in Moscow…dished out 21 assists…was an all-Big Sky Conference Academic selection.
HIGH SCHOOL:
Thomsen prepped at Chaparral High School- the same high school that produced former Bobcat standout Natalie Passeck...garnered Third-Team Under Armour All-American honors for her performance leading Chaparral to a Colorado 5A state runner-up finish and a 26-3 overall record as a senior...totaled 1,077 kills, 859 digs and 173 aces during her tenure with the Wolverines...as a junior, she was a second-team all-state selection...was also a two-time first-team all-conference choice...played club ball with Front Range and has experience in the USA volleyball system, as well...off the court, she was a two-time academic all-state pick.
PERSONAL:
She is the daughter of Mike and Nancy Thomsen.
Players like Kira Thomsen are a coach's dream. The product of Parker, Colo., had an outstanding debut in the Blue & Gold, finishing her first season ranked among the top 10 in the Big Sky Conference in kills per set. The fiery outside hitter never backed down from going up against the veterans of the league and established herself as an offensive sparkplug and a 'go-to' option when needed most. And, while her freshman season was very successful, Thomsen knows there is room for improvement. Bobcat fans should look forward to three more years with Thomsen, and the coming together of talent and growth that could culminate in her becoming one of the best to ever play on the Shroyer Gym court.
CATCHING UP WITH KIRA:
1). Can you give us an update on your current status?
Currently, I am back in Bozeman continuing summer training as we are allowed, working, as well as adventuring and exploring Montana. I think this is a really interesting time. I try to keep myself sane by not stressing about the unknowns and trying to go with the flow as best I can.
2). How do you think the spring volleyball season was progressing before everything shut down?
I think spring was going really well and we were making great progress on the court and in the weight room.
3). What are your goals heading into the fall and what are the expectations for the team?
My goal is to advance my play and volleyball IQ to help our team be as successful as we can this fall with our eyes being set on a Big Sky Conference championship.
HEAD COACH DANIEL JONES ON KIRA THOMSEN:
"In her first year Kira proved that she is the kind of athlete who can be labelled as an 'ultimate competitor'. She's the kind of athlete who relishes the challenge of going up against the best, as she wants to prove that she is the best. Kira brings a spark to our gym every day that cannot be undervalued. She knows she has a lot of room to grow, which is always the most exciting thing with any of our athletes – when they realize the work they need to do and invest in it. I'm excited to see what Kira can achieve this year, she has high expectations for herself, and we share those expectations."
THOMSEN'S PLAYING BIO:
FRESHMAN (2019):
Thomsen had an outstanding debut in the Blue & Gold playing and starting in all 29 matches, including 110 sets…was second on the squad with 332 kills, averaging 3.02 kills per set…her 3.18 kills per set average in Big Sky Conference play ranked ninth in the league…posted 22 double-figure kill matches, including a streak of nine straight double-digit kill matches to close out the 2019 season…had a season-best 22 kills in MSU's 3-2 win over Sacramento State in Shroyer Gym…finished the season hitting .166 from the floor…notched 254 digs, averaging 2.31 per set…logged nine double-figure digs matches, including a season-high 24 digs in MSU's 3-1 victory over Idaho State…in all, recorded eight double-doubles…led team with 29 services aces, averaging .32 per outing…registered a career-high six aces in Montana State win over Sacramento State in opening round of the Big Sky Conference tournament…had five multiple ace matches…recorded 35 blocks…her five blocks against Northern Colorado in semifinal action of the Big Sky tournament were a season-best…recorded seven matches hitting .300 or above from the field…notched season-high .474 (10-1-19) attack mark as the Bobcats swept Idaho in Moscow…dished out 21 assists…was an all-Big Sky Conference Academic selection.
HIGH SCHOOL:
Thomsen prepped at Chaparral High School- the same high school that produced former Bobcat standout Natalie Passeck...garnered Third-Team Under Armour All-American honors for her performance leading Chaparral to a Colorado 5A state runner-up finish and a 26-3 overall record as a senior...totaled 1,077 kills, 859 digs and 173 aces during her tenure with the Wolverines...as a junior, she was a second-team all-state selection...was also a two-time first-team all-conference choice...played club ball with Front Range and has experience in the USA volleyball system, as well...off the court, she was a two-time academic all-state pick.
PERSONAL:
She is the daughter of Mike and Nancy Thomsen.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's VolleyballMatt Houk Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, January 18
Daniel Jones Weekly Press Conference
Monday, November 15
Bobcat Classic: Arkansas vs. Portland
Saturday, September 04
Bobcat Classic: Arkansas vs. Utah State
Friday, September 03
