Saturday, February 6
BOZEMAN
5 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Northern Arizona
Bobcat Volleyball Opens Home Slate Saturday
2/5/2021 3:18:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Montana State volleyball team opens its 2020-21 Big Sky Conference home season when it hosts Northern Arizona in a weekend series, beginning Saturday, Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. in Shroyer Gym.
WHO: Northern Arizona at Montana State
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 @ 5 p.m. (MST)
Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 @ 2 p.m. (MST)
WHERE: Bozeman, Mont. - Shroyer Gym
RECORDS: Montana State 1-1, 1-1; No. Arizona 3-1, 3-1
SERIES: No. Arizona leads 41-24; Streak: NAU W1
LAST MTG: Nov. 16, 2019 - No. Arizona 3, @ MSU 2
HOME OPENER: The Montana State volleyball team opens its 2020-21 Big Sky Conference home season when it hosts Northern Arizona in a weekend series, beginning Saturday, Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. in Shroyer Gym. MSU will close out the weekend against NAU on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. Much like the Big Sky basketball schedule, volleyball will also play the same opponent in a weekend, however it will be just a 16-match season. Montana State will not face Sacramento State or Eastern Washington in the regular-season.
CATS WIN SEASON-OPENER: With its season-opening victory over defending Big Sky Conference Champion Northern Colorado on Jan. 24 the Bobcats are 13-20 in league openers dating back to the inception of the league for women in 1988. Current Bobcat head coach Daniel Jones is now 3-1 in Big Sky openers.
BOBCAT BLURBS: The Bobcats turned a lot of Big Sky heads with its season-opening victory over defending league champion Northern Colorado in straight sets on Jan. 24 in Greeley...Hannah Scott paced the Bobcats over UNC with nine kills, while Jourdain Klein and Hailey Merkes added eight and seven kills, respectively...As a team, the Bobcats outhit the Bears in the opener .250 to .145...MSU also held a salty 12-4 edge in blocking...This season, MSU returns 11 letterwinners and five starters from last year's squad that went 15-14 overall and 10-8 in Big Sky play...MSU was tabbed fourth in the preseason Big Sky Coaches' poll...Montana State will need to fill the shoes of senior libero Allyssa Rizzo, who was the 2019 Big Sky Libero of the Year...Battling for the spot are seniors Libby Christensen and Lexi Goroski.
SIDE OUTS:
* Montana State snapped a 29-match losing streak to Northern Colorado on Jan. 24.
* MSU's 3-0 win over UNC marked the first time since 2018 they had been swept at home.
* The Cats out-blocked UNC 12-4 as Jourdain Klein and Kaycee O'Dell each had 8 blocks.
* Kaycee O'Dell led MSU in hitting with a .417 attack mark for the two matches.
* O'Dell, Klein, and Emma Pence ranks Nos. 1, 2 & 3 in the Big Sky in blocks per set.
* O'Dell (.417) and Pence (.368) rank first and second in hitting in Big Sky Conference action.
* Kira Thomsen leads the Big Sky Conference averaging .83 service aces per set.
* Libby Christensen averages a team-best 4.25 digs per set, which is 4th best in the Big Sky.
* As a team, the Bobcats lead the Big Sky Conference averaging 3.50 blocks per set.
* Montana State is ranked third in the nation averaging 3.50 bps- behind VCU & Denver.
HARD BLOCK CAFE: The Bobcats had a strong opening weekend at the net in its split with Northern Colorado. MSU held a 12-4 edge in blocking as the Cats upset the defending Big Sky champion in three straight sets in the opener. Jourdain Klein and Kaycee O'Dell paced Montana State with eight blocks apiece. The duo, who are averaging 1.83 blocks per set, lead the Big Sky Conference and are ranked seventh in the nation. As a team, MSU's 3.50 blocks per set is tops in the Big Sky and ranks fourth in the country. Montana State has four players averaging 1.00 blocks or better. Sophomore Emma Pence is averaging 1.67 blocks- which is third best in the Big Sky and ranks 14th in the nation, while Hailey Merkes averages 1.00 blocks per set, which ranks 10th in in the league.
BEAM ME UP SCOTTY: Senior Hannah Scott opened her fourth season in the Blue and Gold leading the Bobcats with a team-high nine kills as MSU upset of Northern Colorado, the defending Big Sky champion. For the weekend, Scott averaged 2.50 kills per set, while notching a .205 attack mark. Last season, Scott had a breakout year which culminated in being named to the all-Big Sky Conference First-Team as she averaged 2.66 kills per set, while hitting .230 from the floor. She recorded 17 double-figure kill matches, including a season-best 20 kills in MSU's victory over Sacramento State. Scott also averaged 1.71 digs per set. In addition, she logged six double-digit digs matches, including a season-high 11 saves on three occasions, the last coming against Sacramento State. On the season, Scott posted three double-doubles. She registered five matches hitting an impressive .400 or better from the field with a season-high .478 attack percentage against Southern Utah. Scott also averaged .84 blocks per set and notched five matches with five or more blocks. She recorded a career-high 10 blocks against Northern Colorado at the Big Sky Conference Tournament in 2019. She is currently 217 kills shy of becoming the 16th member of MSU's 1000-kill club.
A LENDING HAND: Former Bozeman High product and Montana Class AA state champion setter Allie Lynch settled into her junior season at Montana State. Lynch averaged 9.96 assists per set, which ranked fourth in the Big Sky. Last fall, she registered ten matches with 45 assists or more, including a season-high 51 assists in MSU's win over Loyola Maryland. On Oct. 19, 2019 she notched a career-high seven kills leading the Bobcats to a 3-1 win over Idaho State. Lynch also helped the Bobcats from the service line with 22 aces. Defensively, her 2.14 digs per set was third best on the squad, while her .57 blocks per set average ranked fourth.
MAY I ASSIST YOU?: Junior setter Allie Lynch is slowly creeping up the all-time Montana State assists chart. The Bozeman native went over the 1,000-assist plateau against Portland State on Oct. 24, 2019. Former Bobcat standout Brooke Olsen-Roush (1996-99) holds the all-time Bobcats record set back in the old 15-point scoring era. Here's a look at MSU's all-time Top 10, and where Lynch stands:
1. Brooke Olsen, 1996-99 4,712
2. Kamber Kelly, 2001-04 3,751
3. Jennifer Lundquist, 2009-12 2,500
4. Lorraine Morrison, 1999-01 2,293
5. Kira Laden, 1995-96 1,893
6. Marsha Dirks, 1985-87 1,785
7. Katie Harrington, 2014-15 1,779
8. Stacey Nielsen, 1987-89 1,735
9. Allie Lynch, 2017--- 1,503
10. Christi Ryan, 1984-85 1,497
CLIMBING THE LADDER: As the MSU program continues to improve, its numbers within the league's statistical categories have shown remarkable improvement, as well. In the 12 team categories, the Cats are ranked in the top five in seven listings. MSU is ranked first in blocking (3.50) and opponent digs (13.00), third in hitting percentage (.212) and service aces (1.83), four in assists (11.33), and fifth in opponent blocks (2.17) and kills (12.00).
THOMSEN TIME: Sophomore Kira Thomsen averaged 2.33 kills per set in MSU's opening weekend of play. The Parker, Colo. product recorded 14 total kills, including nine in the second match of MSU's series with Northern Colorado. Most of her damage against the Bears came from the service line dishing out five aces, including four in MSU's season-opening upset over UNC, the defending Big Sky champion. Thomsen's .83 aces per set leads the Big Sky and is ninth best in the nation. Defensively, she notched 10 digs in both matches against Northern Colorado, averaging 3.33 per set.
PENCE POWER: Sophomore Emma Pence had a strong opening weekend for the Bobcats as it split its series at Northern Colorado. In the season-opener, the Carson City, Nevada product tallied five kills and four blocks. In the second match of the weekend, Pence registered four kills, a .571 attack mark and six blocks. Her .368 attack mark ranks second in the Big Sky, behind teammate Kaycee O'Dell (.417). Pence's 1.67 blocks per set is third in the league behind O'Dell and Jourdain Klein (1.83 bps). Last year, the 6-2 middle blocker played in all 29 matches and posted a career-high 10 kills on four occasions, the last coming in MSU's 3-2 win over Sacramento State.
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS: Redshirt-freshman Jourdain Klein had a memorable debut in the Blue and Gold. In its two-match series with Northern Colorado, the Ennis native averaged 1.33 kills and 1.83 blocks per set. Klein notched eight kills and eight block assists in the season-opening win at UNC.
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 @ 5 p.m. (MST)
Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 @ 2 p.m. (MST)
WHERE: Bozeman, Mont. - Shroyer Gym
RECORDS: Montana State 1-1, 1-1; No. Arizona 3-1, 3-1
SERIES: No. Arizona leads 41-24; Streak: NAU W1
LAST MTG: Nov. 16, 2019 - No. Arizona 3, @ MSU 2
HOME OPENER: The Montana State volleyball team opens its 2020-21 Big Sky Conference home season when it hosts Northern Arizona in a weekend series, beginning Saturday, Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. in Shroyer Gym. MSU will close out the weekend against NAU on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. Much like the Big Sky basketball schedule, volleyball will also play the same opponent in a weekend, however it will be just a 16-match season. Montana State will not face Sacramento State or Eastern Washington in the regular-season.
CATS WIN SEASON-OPENER: With its season-opening victory over defending Big Sky Conference Champion Northern Colorado on Jan. 24 the Bobcats are 13-20 in league openers dating back to the inception of the league for women in 1988. Current Bobcat head coach Daniel Jones is now 3-1 in Big Sky openers.
BOBCAT BLURBS: The Bobcats turned a lot of Big Sky heads with its season-opening victory over defending league champion Northern Colorado in straight sets on Jan. 24 in Greeley...Hannah Scott paced the Bobcats over UNC with nine kills, while Jourdain Klein and Hailey Merkes added eight and seven kills, respectively...As a team, the Bobcats outhit the Bears in the opener .250 to .145...MSU also held a salty 12-4 edge in blocking...This season, MSU returns 11 letterwinners and five starters from last year's squad that went 15-14 overall and 10-8 in Big Sky play...MSU was tabbed fourth in the preseason Big Sky Coaches' poll...Montana State will need to fill the shoes of senior libero Allyssa Rizzo, who was the 2019 Big Sky Libero of the Year...Battling for the spot are seniors Libby Christensen and Lexi Goroski.
SIDE OUTS:
* Montana State snapped a 29-match losing streak to Northern Colorado on Jan. 24.
* MSU's 3-0 win over UNC marked the first time since 2018 they had been swept at home.
* The Cats out-blocked UNC 12-4 as Jourdain Klein and Kaycee O'Dell each had 8 blocks.
* Kaycee O'Dell led MSU in hitting with a .417 attack mark for the two matches.
* O'Dell, Klein, and Emma Pence ranks Nos. 1, 2 & 3 in the Big Sky in blocks per set.
* O'Dell (.417) and Pence (.368) rank first and second in hitting in Big Sky Conference action.
* Kira Thomsen leads the Big Sky Conference averaging .83 service aces per set.
* Libby Christensen averages a team-best 4.25 digs per set, which is 4th best in the Big Sky.
* As a team, the Bobcats lead the Big Sky Conference averaging 3.50 blocks per set.
* Montana State is ranked third in the nation averaging 3.50 bps- behind VCU & Denver.
HARD BLOCK CAFE: The Bobcats had a strong opening weekend at the net in its split with Northern Colorado. MSU held a 12-4 edge in blocking as the Cats upset the defending Big Sky champion in three straight sets in the opener. Jourdain Klein and Kaycee O'Dell paced Montana State with eight blocks apiece. The duo, who are averaging 1.83 blocks per set, lead the Big Sky Conference and are ranked seventh in the nation. As a team, MSU's 3.50 blocks per set is tops in the Big Sky and ranks fourth in the country. Montana State has four players averaging 1.00 blocks or better. Sophomore Emma Pence is averaging 1.67 blocks- which is third best in the Big Sky and ranks 14th in the nation, while Hailey Merkes averages 1.00 blocks per set, which ranks 10th in in the league.
BEAM ME UP SCOTTY: Senior Hannah Scott opened her fourth season in the Blue and Gold leading the Bobcats with a team-high nine kills as MSU upset of Northern Colorado, the defending Big Sky champion. For the weekend, Scott averaged 2.50 kills per set, while notching a .205 attack mark. Last season, Scott had a breakout year which culminated in being named to the all-Big Sky Conference First-Team as she averaged 2.66 kills per set, while hitting .230 from the floor. She recorded 17 double-figure kill matches, including a season-best 20 kills in MSU's victory over Sacramento State. Scott also averaged 1.71 digs per set. In addition, she logged six double-digit digs matches, including a season-high 11 saves on three occasions, the last coming against Sacramento State. On the season, Scott posted three double-doubles. She registered five matches hitting an impressive .400 or better from the field with a season-high .478 attack percentage against Southern Utah. Scott also averaged .84 blocks per set and notched five matches with five or more blocks. She recorded a career-high 10 blocks against Northern Colorado at the Big Sky Conference Tournament in 2019. She is currently 217 kills shy of becoming the 16th member of MSU's 1000-kill club.
A LENDING HAND: Former Bozeman High product and Montana Class AA state champion setter Allie Lynch settled into her junior season at Montana State. Lynch averaged 9.96 assists per set, which ranked fourth in the Big Sky. Last fall, she registered ten matches with 45 assists or more, including a season-high 51 assists in MSU's win over Loyola Maryland. On Oct. 19, 2019 she notched a career-high seven kills leading the Bobcats to a 3-1 win over Idaho State. Lynch also helped the Bobcats from the service line with 22 aces. Defensively, her 2.14 digs per set was third best on the squad, while her .57 blocks per set average ranked fourth.
MAY I ASSIST YOU?: Junior setter Allie Lynch is slowly creeping up the all-time Montana State assists chart. The Bozeman native went over the 1,000-assist plateau against Portland State on Oct. 24, 2019. Former Bobcat standout Brooke Olsen-Roush (1996-99) holds the all-time Bobcats record set back in the old 15-point scoring era. Here's a look at MSU's all-time Top 10, and where Lynch stands:
1. Brooke Olsen, 1996-99 4,712
2. Kamber Kelly, 2001-04 3,751
3. Jennifer Lundquist, 2009-12 2,500
4. Lorraine Morrison, 1999-01 2,293
5. Kira Laden, 1995-96 1,893
6. Marsha Dirks, 1985-87 1,785
7. Katie Harrington, 2014-15 1,779
8. Stacey Nielsen, 1987-89 1,735
9. Allie Lynch, 2017--- 1,503
10. Christi Ryan, 1984-85 1,497
CLIMBING THE LADDER: As the MSU program continues to improve, its numbers within the league's statistical categories have shown remarkable improvement, as well. In the 12 team categories, the Cats are ranked in the top five in seven listings. MSU is ranked first in blocking (3.50) and opponent digs (13.00), third in hitting percentage (.212) and service aces (1.83), four in assists (11.33), and fifth in opponent blocks (2.17) and kills (12.00).
THOMSEN TIME: Sophomore Kira Thomsen averaged 2.33 kills per set in MSU's opening weekend of play. The Parker, Colo. product recorded 14 total kills, including nine in the second match of MSU's series with Northern Colorado. Most of her damage against the Bears came from the service line dishing out five aces, including four in MSU's season-opening upset over UNC, the defending Big Sky champion. Thomsen's .83 aces per set leads the Big Sky and is ninth best in the nation. Defensively, she notched 10 digs in both matches against Northern Colorado, averaging 3.33 per set.
PENCE POWER: Sophomore Emma Pence had a strong opening weekend for the Bobcats as it split its series at Northern Colorado. In the season-opener, the Carson City, Nevada product tallied five kills and four blocks. In the second match of the weekend, Pence registered four kills, a .571 attack mark and six blocks. Her .368 attack mark ranks second in the Big Sky, behind teammate Kaycee O'Dell (.417). Pence's 1.67 blocks per set is third in the league behind O'Dell and Jourdain Klein (1.83 bps). Last year, the 6-2 middle blocker played in all 29 matches and posted a career-high 10 kills on four occasions, the last coming in MSU's 3-2 win over Sacramento State.
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS: Redshirt-freshman Jourdain Klein had a memorable debut in the Blue and Gold. In its two-match series with Northern Colorado, the Ennis native averaged 1.33 kills and 1.83 blocks per set. Klein notched eight kills and eight block assists in the season-opening win at UNC.
Players Mentioned
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
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
