Thanks to a quick conversation and generous gesture, MSU Women's Basketball seniors will be honored during Saturday's Bobcat Volleyball contest
2/26/2021 3:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Bobcats Tori Martell and Sidney Zieske get their Senior Day moment on Saturday
February 26, 2021 – BOZEMAN, Montana – Tori Martell has made 195 three-point baskets as a Montana State Bobcat. Her and teammate Sidney Zieske will graduate from Montana State this spring having enjoyed some of the greatest moments in program history. But when the University of Idaho was forced to cancel this weekend's women's basketball series at Montana State, Martell and Zieske faced the possibility losing Senior Day to celebrate their accomplishments.
A quick Thursday morning conversation between MSU volleyball assistant Cole Aiazzi and head coach Daniel Jones, and an ensuing text message from Jones to Bobcat women's basketball coach, changed the entire weekend.
"Cole," Jones said when asked where the idea of incorporating MSU Women's Basketball's Senior Day into the weekend volleyball schedule. Aiazzi's suggestion, Jones said, fit perfectly with his program's philosophy. "We talk a lot in our program about not letting Covid rule the day, being safe but not letting it ruin things for us, and when he heard that the (basketball games) had been canceled he gave me a call. As we mulled it over we wanted to honor those kids."
"He texted me as (MSU's weekly) head coaches meeting was starting and asked me to call him afterward," Binford said of her first interaction with Jones, "so he'd already thought about it. My first reaction was how extremely thoughtful to include our team in your event, and he responded that we're an athletic department and a family. They were feeling devastated for our kids not to have that moment, so they were thinking of ways to support our team."
The MSU-Idaho women's basketball series set up as a crucial weekend. Both teams are locked in a race for the Big Sky regular season championship with Idaho State (13-2 after Thursday's win at Montana). The Cats stand 11-3, percentage points behind Idaho (13-3). The lost games could prove costly in the short term of picture of the conference standings.
But it won't cost Martell and Zieske and their families and teammates a moment they all deserve. At 5 pm on Saturday, the Bobcat volleyball team – also locked in a chase for the Big Sky regular season crown – hosts Portland State. Between sets two and three, Martell and Zieske will receive their moment.
"We had already been processing what our backup plans were as far as trying to get parents into practice and doing something on the video board after that," Binford said. "When this option (was presented), we just thought, Let's run with this. This sounded like the best option for to be able to recognize Tori and Sid and have some people see it, as well."
Jones said there was no hesitation in welcoming the women's basketball program into the fold. "To me, women's basketball sets the tone of excellence for the Athletic Department in our building," he said. "Kids like Tori and Sidney have poured their heart and soul into that program, so to me it's like the Athletic Department honoring them as much as the women's basketball program. It's a privilege to be able to say, let's make sure we recognize them. It's a great thing."
Martell and Zieske have travelled different paths during their Bobcat careers, and Binford appreciates that every student-athlete's journey is unique. "Every kid has a different story that you're extremely proud of," Binford said.
A 5-8 sharpshooter from Somerset, Wisconsin, Martell contributed early in her Bobcat career. She shot 40 percent from three-point range as a freshman, playing in 30 of the team's 31 games, and a season later averaged 7.2 points while playing in all 29 games. Last year her role expanded on one of the greatest Bobcat teams of all time, as she averaged 8.1 points a game and earned Big Sky Conference Top Reserve honors. As a senior, Martell is second on the team with 12.3 points a game and her 53 three-pointers leads the Big Sky.
"Tori just finished her last game in the Fieldhouse with one of the most memorable shots in program history," Binford said of Martell's game-tying three-pointer that sent the Cats into overtime against league-leading Idaho State in a contest MSU eventually won. "She's one of the best shooters in program history, is potentially an all-conference performer, was Big Sky Reserve of the Year (in 2019-20)."
Zieske's journey has spent less time in the spotlight. The 5-9 guard from Waconia, Minnesota, redshirted in 2018-19, then played in 18 games as a reserve in 2019-20. This season she has played in six games. Academically, Zieske has shone brightly. The Exercise Science major is graduating a year ahead of schedule this May.
"Sidney is that kid that's maybe gone under the radar in shining moments in the papers," Binford said, "but not for the shining moments with her peers. She's been a tremendous teammate, she's selfless in doing her job on a daily basis. She's gotten ahead and finished her degree in three-and-a-half years, which is phenomenal. These two are great examples of what it means to be excellent on the court, in the classroom, and out in the community."
A week ago in Bobcat volleyball's weekend sweep of Idaho State, Jones and the volleyball program honored departing seniors Alexis Gorski and Hailey Merkes. Those student-athletes have been part and parcel of MSU volleyball's rise to Big Sky contender.
"Whenever you have a senior leaving the program, they've put their heart and soul into it for the period of time they've been here," Jones said. "Having the opportunity for their families to celebrate them, having the opportunity for the department and the fans and their team to celebrate them, is an important part of the collegiate athletic experience. When we were able to do it last week it was emotional, it was a really special experience, and I hope we're able to give the same thing to Tori and Sidney."
Binford is grateful for the opportunity to honor her two seniors, and thankful that her program produces memorable student-athletes. "I think the culture (of the program) looks the same every year, even though every story is different."
Bobcat fans can watch MSU's 5 pm volleyball match on Saturday, and the Women's Basketball Senior Ceremony between sets two and three, on Pluto.tv channel 1057.
#GoCatsGo
A quick Thursday morning conversation between MSU volleyball assistant Cole Aiazzi and head coach Daniel Jones, and an ensuing text message from Jones to Bobcat women's basketball coach, changed the entire weekend.
"Cole," Jones said when asked where the idea of incorporating MSU Women's Basketball's Senior Day into the weekend volleyball schedule. Aiazzi's suggestion, Jones said, fit perfectly with his program's philosophy. "We talk a lot in our program about not letting Covid rule the day, being safe but not letting it ruin things for us, and when he heard that the (basketball games) had been canceled he gave me a call. As we mulled it over we wanted to honor those kids."
"He texted me as (MSU's weekly) head coaches meeting was starting and asked me to call him afterward," Binford said of her first interaction with Jones, "so he'd already thought about it. My first reaction was how extremely thoughtful to include our team in your event, and he responded that we're an athletic department and a family. They were feeling devastated for our kids not to have that moment, so they were thinking of ways to support our team."
The MSU-Idaho women's basketball series set up as a crucial weekend. Both teams are locked in a race for the Big Sky regular season championship with Idaho State (13-2 after Thursday's win at Montana). The Cats stand 11-3, percentage points behind Idaho (13-3). The lost games could prove costly in the short term of picture of the conference standings.
But it won't cost Martell and Zieske and their families and teammates a moment they all deserve. At 5 pm on Saturday, the Bobcat volleyball team – also locked in a chase for the Big Sky regular season crown – hosts Portland State. Between sets two and three, Martell and Zieske will receive their moment.
"We had already been processing what our backup plans were as far as trying to get parents into practice and doing something on the video board after that," Binford said. "When this option (was presented), we just thought, Let's run with this. This sounded like the best option for to be able to recognize Tori and Sid and have some people see it, as well."
Jones said there was no hesitation in welcoming the women's basketball program into the fold. "To me, women's basketball sets the tone of excellence for the Athletic Department in our building," he said. "Kids like Tori and Sidney have poured their heart and soul into that program, so to me it's like the Athletic Department honoring them as much as the women's basketball program. It's a privilege to be able to say, let's make sure we recognize them. It's a great thing."
Martell and Zieske have travelled different paths during their Bobcat careers, and Binford appreciates that every student-athlete's journey is unique. "Every kid has a different story that you're extremely proud of," Binford said.
A 5-8 sharpshooter from Somerset, Wisconsin, Martell contributed early in her Bobcat career. She shot 40 percent from three-point range as a freshman, playing in 30 of the team's 31 games, and a season later averaged 7.2 points while playing in all 29 games. Last year her role expanded on one of the greatest Bobcat teams of all time, as she averaged 8.1 points a game and earned Big Sky Conference Top Reserve honors. As a senior, Martell is second on the team with 12.3 points a game and her 53 three-pointers leads the Big Sky.
"Tori just finished her last game in the Fieldhouse with one of the most memorable shots in program history," Binford said of Martell's game-tying three-pointer that sent the Cats into overtime against league-leading Idaho State in a contest MSU eventually won. "She's one of the best shooters in program history, is potentially an all-conference performer, was Big Sky Reserve of the Year (in 2019-20)."
Zieske's journey has spent less time in the spotlight. The 5-9 guard from Waconia, Minnesota, redshirted in 2018-19, then played in 18 games as a reserve in 2019-20. This season she has played in six games. Academically, Zieske has shone brightly. The Exercise Science major is graduating a year ahead of schedule this May.
"Sidney is that kid that's maybe gone under the radar in shining moments in the papers," Binford said, "but not for the shining moments with her peers. She's been a tremendous teammate, she's selfless in doing her job on a daily basis. She's gotten ahead and finished her degree in three-and-a-half years, which is phenomenal. These two are great examples of what it means to be excellent on the court, in the classroom, and out in the community."
A week ago in Bobcat volleyball's weekend sweep of Idaho State, Jones and the volleyball program honored departing seniors Alexis Gorski and Hailey Merkes. Those student-athletes have been part and parcel of MSU volleyball's rise to Big Sky contender.
"Whenever you have a senior leaving the program, they've put their heart and soul into it for the period of time they've been here," Jones said. "Having the opportunity for their families to celebrate them, having the opportunity for the department and the fans and their team to celebrate them, is an important part of the collegiate athletic experience. When we were able to do it last week it was emotional, it was a really special experience, and I hope we're able to give the same thing to Tori and Sidney."
Binford is grateful for the opportunity to honor her two seniors, and thankful that her program produces memorable student-athletes. "I think the culture (of the program) looks the same every year, even though every story is different."
Bobcat fans can watch MSU's 5 pm volleyball match on Saturday, and the Women's Basketball Senior Ceremony between sets two and three, on Pluto.tv channel 1057.
#GoCatsGo
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