Bobcats Rally for Five-Set Win

Monday, March 8

Moscow, ID

7 p.m. (MT)

Montana State University

10-2,10-2Big Sky

Idaho

5-7,4-6Big Sky

Montana St.

Idaho

Outside hitter Hannah Scott

3/8/2021 11:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

The victory was the ninth straight for MSU. The win streak is the longest since the 2001 Bobcats opened the season with 12 consecutive victories

By: Tom Schulz

MOSCOW, Idaho – Montana State rallied from a 2-1 deficit to play its sixth five-set match of the season. The Bobcats won its fifth straight match that went the distance posting a 25-22, 22-25, 22-25, 25-22, 15-13 win over Idaho on Monday night in Memorial Gym.

The victory was the ninth straight for MSU. The win streak is the longest since the 2001 Bobcats opened the season with 12 consecutive victories. With the sweep of Idaho, the Bobcats moved into sole possession of second place in the Big Sky Conference behind Weber State.

"Playing five-set matches is great experience and great preparation for championship season," said MSU head coach Daniel Jones. "Our confidence continues to build, and we have the knowledge and ability to finish off matches. In years past, we've come up two-three points short, now we're coming out ahead by two-three points."

Montana State (10-2, 10-2) rallied from 10-7 and 12-10 deficits late in the final set behind two kills from Jourdain Klein, a block via Emma Pence and Hannah Scott, and a service ace by Kira Thomsen. Idaho (5-7, 4-6) fought off one set point, before Scott ended the match on a kill that found its way through the Vandal block.

"It was another great match with a good, young Idaho team," Jones said. "I was surprised it was an offensive match considering a strength of both teams is blocking. I also think it became a serve-serve receive game. When Idaho was in system, and were able to run their middles, they were pretty unstoppable. We made some adjustments in sets four and five that gave us some good match-ups and we took advantage."

Like Sunday night, the two teams were evenly matched as both squads navigated 25 ties and seven lead changes. With the second frame even at 21-all, the Vandals went on a 4-1 run winning on a Kennedy Warren tip.

In set three, the Vandals broke away at 22-all with three straight points, taking a 2-1 match lead following a MSU hitting miscue. The Bobcats returned the favor in set four, pulling away at 21-all behind a Thomsen and Avery Turnage block and a Klein kill. An Idaho service error on set point forced the fifth and deciding game.

Thomsen led all players with a match-high 17 kills, while hitting .261 and adding five aces, eight digs and two blocks. Also in double-figure kills were Scott 15, Pence 12, and Klein 12. Scott notched a double-double adding 13 digs. Defensively, Klein and Pence paced the Bobcats at the net with six and five blocks, respectively. Libby Christensen led MSU with a team-best 15 digs.

MSU setters Delaney Shearan and Allie Lynch recorded 30 and 22 assists, respectively.

For the match, the Bobcats held advantages in hitting percentage, kills, aces, and blocks.

Idaho was led by Bea Whitling with 14 kills and four blocks.

Montana State will host Southern Utah next Sunday and Monday in Shroyer Gym.