Thursday, September 2
BOZEMAN
7 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Arkansas
Photo by: Jack Murrey
MSU Volleyball Hosts Bobcat Classic
9/1/2021 7:29:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Montana State volleyball team welcomes Arkansas, Portland and Utah State to the Bobcat Classic beginning on Thursday, Sept. 2 as the Cats face the Razorbacks at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym.
The Montana State volleyball team welcomes Arkansas, Portland and Utah State to the Bobcat Classic beginning on Thursday, Sept. 2 as the Cats face the Razorbacks at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym.
WHO: Arkansas at Montana State
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bozeman, Montana - Shroyer Gym
RECORDS: Montana St. 2-1, 0-0; Arkansas 2-1, 0-0
SERIES: Series tied 1-1 (2003)
LAST MTG: Aug. 31, 2019 - @Arkansas 3, Montana State 2
WHO: Portland at Montana State
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bozeman, Montana - Shroyer Gym
RECORDS: Montana St. 2-1, 0-0; Portland 2-1, 0-0
SERIES: Montana State leads series 4-3 (1993)
LAST MTG: Aug. 30, 2018 - @Portland 3, Montana State 1
WHO: Utah State at Montana State
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m.
WHERE: Bozeman, Montana - Shroyer Gym
RECORDS: Montana St. 2-1, 0-0; Utah State 2-1, 0-0
SERIES: Utah State leads series 7-4 (1982)
LAST MTG: Sept. 2, 2017 - Montana State 3, @Utah State 1
LIVE STATS: Live stats can be found at msubobcats.com
LIVE STREAMING: MSU matches can be accessed at plus.espn.com; with non-MSU matches at msubobcats.com
NEXT UP: The Montana State volleyball team fresh off a 2-1 showing at the Boise State Invitational last weekend in Idaho, will host its own Bobcat Classic beginning Thursday night when it meets SEC foe Arkansas at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym. Friday's tournament line-up has Portland and Utah State at 10 a.m., followed by Arkansas and Utah State at 3 p.m., and MSU and Portland at 7 p.m. The Bobcat Classic will conclude on Saturday with Portland and Arkansas at 10 a.m., followed by Montana State and Utah State at 1 p.m.
TOURNEY TALK: All four teams in the week's Bobcat Classic went 2-1 on the opening week of action...Arkansas head coach Jason Watson began his women's volleyball coaching career at Montana State as an assistant under Dave Gantt in 1996.
BOBCAT BLURBS: Sophomore Kira Thomsen was MVP of the Boise State Invite, last weekend.
SIDE OUTS:
* Although no champion was crowned, MSU had the best win % at the Boise State Invite
* MSU's win over Boise State last Saturday was its first over BSU since Nov. 4, 1994
* Hannah Scott and Libby Christenson made the Boise State All-Tournament Team
* The Cats rank #1 in the Big Sky & #112 in the nation in opponent hitting percentage (.180)
* Montana State ranks #2 in the Big Sky and #21 in the country in service aces (26)
* MSU's 2.08 blocks per set is second in the Big Sky Conference after the opening week
* The Bobcats rank #56 in the nation after the first week of play with 151 team kills
* Sophomore Emma Pence is #1 in the Big Sky & #15 in the nation with 18 total blocks
* Pence is #1 in the Big Sky averaging 1.50 blocks per set, which is #51 in the country
* Hannah Scott is closing in on becoming the 16th member of MSU's 1,000-kill club (981)
THE SCOUTING REPORT: Arkansas is 2-1 after the opening weekend of play. Hosting its own tournament in Barnhill Arena, the Razorbacks defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Louisiana Tech, before dropping a 3-2 decision to Little Rock. Jillian Gillen, a 5-7 junior outside hitter from Stilwell, Kan., paced Arkansas averaging 4.45 kills per set, while Taylor Head, a 5-10 outside hitter from Winter Garden, Fla., chipped in 3.50 kps. As a team, the Razorbacks hit an impressive .324 from the floor. UA is under the direction of head coach Jason Watson, who is in his sixth season in Fayetteville. Watson began his women's collegiate volleyball coaching career in Bozeman as an assistant to Dave Gantt during the 1996 season. MSU and Arkansas last met on Aug. 31, 2019 in Barnhill, with the Razorbacks coming from behind to post a 20-25, 28-30, 25-15, 25-18, 15-13 victory over the Cats. Portland is 2-1 on the season after defeating Nevada and Idaho and dropping a 3-1 decision to Eastern Washington in Moscow, Idaho. The Pilots were led by Ryan Gregg, a 6-foot outside hitter from Corvallis, Ore., who averaged 3.12 kills per set, and Jayde Harris, a 5-11 outside hitter from Murrieta, Calif., who recorded 3.00 kills per set. UP in under the leadership of head coach Megan Burton, who is in her third year on The Bluff. MSU and Portland last met on Aug. 18, 2018 in The Rose City as the Pilots posted a 25-17, 25-17, 20-25, 25-15 victory. Utah State is 2-1 following last weekend's action. Hosting the Northern Utah Invitational, USU defeated North Dakota and Seton Hall, before dropping a 3-2 decision to preseason Big Sky Conference favorite Weber State. Utah State was led by Kristy Frank, a 5-9 outside hitter from Kiev, Ukraine, who averaged 3.56 kills per set, and Tatum Stall, a 6-foot outside hitter from Chandler, Ariz., who chipped in 3.00 kps. The Aggies are under the direction of head coach Rob Neilson, who is in his second season in Logan. MSU and Utah State last met on Sept. 2, 2017 as the Bobcats handed the Aggies a 25-20, 25-18, 27-29, 25-19 setback en route to capturing the USU Invitational championship.
HARD BLOCK CAFÉ: Montana State is ranked third in the Big Sky Conference averaging 2.08 blocks per set. MSU's 2.08 bps also ranks #122 in the nation. Individually, sophomore Emma Pence is first in the Big Sky averaging 1.50 blocks per contest. That number ranks #51 in the country. Sophomore Avery Turnage chipped in 1.00 bps, which is seventh in the league and #215 in the nation. The Bobcats had a season-best 12 team blocks in its 3-1 win over Boise State on Aug. 28.
BEAM ME UP SCOTTY: Senior Hannah Scott is closing in on becoming the 16th member of MSU's prestigious 1000-kill club. The Hawthorne, Calif., product is 19 kills shy of the mark after recording 37 kills (3.08 kps) last weekend at the Boise State Invitational. Scott also chipped in 2.08 digs per set, recorded four aces and had two blocks en route to being named to the Boise State All-Tournament team. Last weekend, she was in double-digit kills in all three matches, with a weekend-high 15 kills against Boise State. Scott posted a double-double in the season opener against Long Beach state with ten kills and 11 digs. Last spring, Scott posted a career-high 25 kills against Idaho State on Feb. 20. During the spring season, Scott posted four double-doubles, including 16 kills and 11 digs in MSU's loss to Southern Utah in the league tournament quarterfinals. Scott had a breakout spring campaign which culminated in being named to the all-Big Sky First-Team as she averaged 2.89 kills per set, while hitting .232 from the floor. She recorded 18 double-figure kill matches. Scott also averaged 2.18 digs per set and logged seven double-digit dig matches, including a season-high 15 saves against Portland State on Feb. 28. Scott recorded a career-high 10 blocks against Northern Colorado at the Big Sky Tourney in 2019.
CLIMBING THE LADDER: As the MSU program continues to improve, its numbers within the Big Sky Conference's statistical categories have shown remarkable improvement, as well. In the 15 team statistical categories acknowledged by the NCAA, the Cats rank in the top three of 12 categories, including #1 opponent hitting percentage (.180), #2 in assists per set (11.92), blocks per set (2.08), hitting percentage (.248), team assists (143), and team service aces (26) and #3 in digs per set (13.75), kills per set (12.58), match w/l (.667), team digs (165), team kills (151) and total team blocks (25.0).
A LENDING HAND: Former Bozeman High product and Montana Class AA state champion setter Allie Lynch opened her senior campaign averaging 4.50 assists per game running MSU's 6-2 offense last weekend at the Boise State Invitational. Lynch dished out a weekend-high 21 assists against the Broncos. She also averaged 1.83 digs per set, including a season-high ten saves against BSU. Sophomore Delaney Shearan also came up big in MSU's 6-2 system against Long Beach State last Friday morning. The Phoenix, Ariz., product in averaged 5.20 assists per contest as the Bobcats fell 3-2 to the 49ers. Last spring, Shearan dished out a season and career-high 33 assists in MSU 3-2 win over Idaho State on Feb. 20. Additionally, Shearan averaged 2.00 digs and .21 aces per set. True-freshman Audrey Hofer received the starting nod last weekend against Dixie State and Boise State. The Helena native averaged 6.14 assists per contest, including a weekend-best 26 assists in MSU's 3-1 win over Boise State. In addition, Hofer averaged 1.43 digs per set and had four aces.
MAY I ASSIST YOU?: Senior 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. Allie Lynch, 2017--- 1,791
7. Marsha Dirks, 1985-87 1,785
8. Katie Harrington, 2014-15 1,779
9. Stacey Nielsen, 1987-89 1,735
10. Christi Ryan, 1984-85 1,497
THOMSEN TIME: Sophomore Kira Thomsen earned tournament MVP honors last weekend at the Boise State Invitational after posting a .337 attack mark and averaging 3.42 kills, 2.83 digs and .58 aces per set. The Parker, Colo., product was in double-digit kills in all three matches, including a weekend-best 15 kills in the season-opener against Long Beach State. She also notched a pair of double-digit dig matches, against LBS and Boise State, respectively. Thomsen currently ranks fifth in the Big Sky Conference in kills (3.42 kps) and sixth in aces (.58). Last spring, Thomsen earned First-Team All-Big Sky Conference honors after averaging 3.52 kills and 4.02 points per set during MSU's spring season. She registered a season-best 22 kills at Weber State on March 20, and a season-high 26 digs against Portland State on Feb.27.
PENCE POWER: Sophomore middle blocker Emma Pence, who was one of two players in the league that garnered #BigSkyVB Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week accolades during spring action, averaged 1.33 kills and 1.50 blocks per set at the Boise State Invitational, last weekend. In the season opener against Long Beach State, Pence posted six kills and seven blocks. Against Boise State, the Carson City, Nevada product recorded five kills and matched a career-high with nine block assists. She currently ranks first in the Big Sky averaging 1.50 blocks per set, which ranks 51st in the nation. Pence's 18 total blocks ranks #15 in the country. Last spring, Pence was a First-Team All-Big Sky honoree.
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS: Jourdain Klein, a 6-1 outside hitter from Ennis, Mont., averaged 1.17 kills and .75 blocks per set at the Boise State Invitational, last weekend. Klein notched a weekend-high seven kills in MSU's win over Boise State, while hitting .429 (7-1-14) and adding four blocks. Last spring, as a redshirt-freshman, Klein was named to the Second-Team All-Big Sky Conference team after averaging 1.49 kills and .97 blocks per set, while hitting at a .197 clip. Klein's .97 bps ranked eighth in the league and was 212th in the nation. During spring ball, she recorded a season and career-high 14 kills as the Bobcats defeated Portland State on Feb. 28. Klein tallied a season-high eight blocks assists in MSU's season-opening win at Northern Colorado.
WHEN IT SAYS LIBBY, LIBBY, LIBBY: Senior libero Libby Christensen saw action in two matches and nine sets last weekend at the Boise State Invitational. The product of Vacaville, Calif., recorded 17 digs in the season-opener against Long Beach State and completed the weekend with 19 saves as the Bobcats defeated BSU 3-1 in Bronco Gym. On the season, she is averaging 4.00 digs per set, which ranks third in the Big Sky Conference. Last spring, Christensen averaged 4.19 digs per set, recording six double-digit digs matches, including a career-high 27 saves as the Bobcats dropped a 3-2 decision to Southern Utah in quarterfinal action of the Big Sky Conference Tournament on March 31.
TURNING THE TIDE: Sophomore Avery Turnage had a solid season-opening weekend for the Bobcats at the Boise State Invitational. The native of Idaho Falls, Idaho averaged 2.00 kills and 1.00 blocks with a .207 attack mark. She had her best match of the weekend with eight kills and seven blocks against Boise State. Turnage also notched a career-best 10 kills in the season-opener against Long Beach State. Her 1.00 bps ranks ninth in the Big Sky.
MORE FROM THE MIDDLE: True-freshman Jordan Radick and sophomore Kaycee O'Dell combined to average 1.67 kills per set with a .304 attack mark at the middle blocking spot during the Boise State Invite. Radick, a graduate of Bozeman High, played in two matches, hitting .370. She had nine kills and three blocks against Boise State. O'Dell, a product of Glendale, Ariz., added six kills, two blocks and a .211 attack mark vs. Long Beach State.
PRESEASON PREDICTION: MSU's progress has been noticed by its Big Sky peers, as the Cats were tabbed fourth in the 2021 Big Sky Coaches' poll. Montana State returns all but three players from a team that posted a 10-4 regular season mark that featured all Big Sky opponents. The Big Sky record was the Bobcats' best league finish since 2004. MSU advanced to the Big Sky Tournament for the third consecutive season. Weber State was picked as a favorite to repeat as Big Sky champions earning 10 first-place votes and 100 points. Northern Arizona was selected second with 86 points and received Weber State's first-place vote. Northern Colorado (83) finished behind NAU in third among the coach's votes. The Cats (73) ranked ahead of Sacramento State (67), Portland State (50), Southern Utah (38), Idaho (38), Eastern Washington (36), Idaho State (18) and Montana (16).
WHO: Arkansas at Montana State
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bozeman, Montana - Shroyer Gym
RECORDS: Montana St. 2-1, 0-0; Arkansas 2-1, 0-0
SERIES: Series tied 1-1 (2003)
LAST MTG: Aug. 31, 2019 - @Arkansas 3, Montana State 2
WHO: Portland at Montana State
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bozeman, Montana - Shroyer Gym
RECORDS: Montana St. 2-1, 0-0; Portland 2-1, 0-0
SERIES: Montana State leads series 4-3 (1993)
LAST MTG: Aug. 30, 2018 - @Portland 3, Montana State 1
WHO: Utah State at Montana State
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m.
WHERE: Bozeman, Montana - Shroyer Gym
RECORDS: Montana St. 2-1, 0-0; Utah State 2-1, 0-0
SERIES: Utah State leads series 7-4 (1982)
LAST MTG: Sept. 2, 2017 - Montana State 3, @Utah State 1
LIVE STATS: Live stats can be found at msubobcats.com
LIVE STREAMING: MSU matches can be accessed at plus.espn.com; with non-MSU matches at msubobcats.com
NEXT UP: The Montana State volleyball team fresh off a 2-1 showing at the Boise State Invitational last weekend in Idaho, will host its own Bobcat Classic beginning Thursday night when it meets SEC foe Arkansas at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym. Friday's tournament line-up has Portland and Utah State at 10 a.m., followed by Arkansas and Utah State at 3 p.m., and MSU and Portland at 7 p.m. The Bobcat Classic will conclude on Saturday with Portland and Arkansas at 10 a.m., followed by Montana State and Utah State at 1 p.m.
TOURNEY TALK: All four teams in the week's Bobcat Classic went 2-1 on the opening week of action...Arkansas head coach Jason Watson began his women's volleyball coaching career at Montana State as an assistant under Dave Gantt in 1996.
BOBCAT BLURBS: Sophomore Kira Thomsen was MVP of the Boise State Invite, last weekend.
SIDE OUTS:
* Although no champion was crowned, MSU had the best win % at the Boise State Invite
* MSU's win over Boise State last Saturday was its first over BSU since Nov. 4, 1994
* Hannah Scott and Libby Christenson made the Boise State All-Tournament Team
* The Cats rank #1 in the Big Sky & #112 in the nation in opponent hitting percentage (.180)
* Montana State ranks #2 in the Big Sky and #21 in the country in service aces (26)
* MSU's 2.08 blocks per set is second in the Big Sky Conference after the opening week
* The Bobcats rank #56 in the nation after the first week of play with 151 team kills
* Sophomore Emma Pence is #1 in the Big Sky & #15 in the nation with 18 total blocks
* Pence is #1 in the Big Sky averaging 1.50 blocks per set, which is #51 in the country
* Hannah Scott is closing in on becoming the 16th member of MSU's 1,000-kill club (981)
THE SCOUTING REPORT: Arkansas is 2-1 after the opening weekend of play. Hosting its own tournament in Barnhill Arena, the Razorbacks defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Louisiana Tech, before dropping a 3-2 decision to Little Rock. Jillian Gillen, a 5-7 junior outside hitter from Stilwell, Kan., paced Arkansas averaging 4.45 kills per set, while Taylor Head, a 5-10 outside hitter from Winter Garden, Fla., chipped in 3.50 kps. As a team, the Razorbacks hit an impressive .324 from the floor. UA is under the direction of head coach Jason Watson, who is in his sixth season in Fayetteville. Watson began his women's collegiate volleyball coaching career in Bozeman as an assistant to Dave Gantt during the 1996 season. MSU and Arkansas last met on Aug. 31, 2019 in Barnhill, with the Razorbacks coming from behind to post a 20-25, 28-30, 25-15, 25-18, 15-13 victory over the Cats. Portland is 2-1 on the season after defeating Nevada and Idaho and dropping a 3-1 decision to Eastern Washington in Moscow, Idaho. The Pilots were led by Ryan Gregg, a 6-foot outside hitter from Corvallis, Ore., who averaged 3.12 kills per set, and Jayde Harris, a 5-11 outside hitter from Murrieta, Calif., who recorded 3.00 kills per set. UP in under the leadership of head coach Megan Burton, who is in her third year on The Bluff. MSU and Portland last met on Aug. 18, 2018 in The Rose City as the Pilots posted a 25-17, 25-17, 20-25, 25-15 victory. Utah State is 2-1 following last weekend's action. Hosting the Northern Utah Invitational, USU defeated North Dakota and Seton Hall, before dropping a 3-2 decision to preseason Big Sky Conference favorite Weber State. Utah State was led by Kristy Frank, a 5-9 outside hitter from Kiev, Ukraine, who averaged 3.56 kills per set, and Tatum Stall, a 6-foot outside hitter from Chandler, Ariz., who chipped in 3.00 kps. The Aggies are under the direction of head coach Rob Neilson, who is in his second season in Logan. MSU and Utah State last met on Sept. 2, 2017 as the Bobcats handed the Aggies a 25-20, 25-18, 27-29, 25-19 setback en route to capturing the USU Invitational championship.
HARD BLOCK CAFÉ: Montana State is ranked third in the Big Sky Conference averaging 2.08 blocks per set. MSU's 2.08 bps also ranks #122 in the nation. Individually, sophomore Emma Pence is first in the Big Sky averaging 1.50 blocks per contest. That number ranks #51 in the country. Sophomore Avery Turnage chipped in 1.00 bps, which is seventh in the league and #215 in the nation. The Bobcats had a season-best 12 team blocks in its 3-1 win over Boise State on Aug. 28.
BEAM ME UP SCOTTY: Senior Hannah Scott is closing in on becoming the 16th member of MSU's prestigious 1000-kill club. The Hawthorne, Calif., product is 19 kills shy of the mark after recording 37 kills (3.08 kps) last weekend at the Boise State Invitational. Scott also chipped in 2.08 digs per set, recorded four aces and had two blocks en route to being named to the Boise State All-Tournament team. Last weekend, she was in double-digit kills in all three matches, with a weekend-high 15 kills against Boise State. Scott posted a double-double in the season opener against Long Beach state with ten kills and 11 digs. Last spring, Scott posted a career-high 25 kills against Idaho State on Feb. 20. During the spring season, Scott posted four double-doubles, including 16 kills and 11 digs in MSU's loss to Southern Utah in the league tournament quarterfinals. Scott had a breakout spring campaign which culminated in being named to the all-Big Sky First-Team as she averaged 2.89 kills per set, while hitting .232 from the floor. She recorded 18 double-figure kill matches. Scott also averaged 2.18 digs per set and logged seven double-digit dig matches, including a season-high 15 saves against Portland State on Feb. 28. Scott recorded a career-high 10 blocks against Northern Colorado at the Big Sky Tourney in 2019.
CLIMBING THE LADDER: As the MSU program continues to improve, its numbers within the Big Sky Conference's statistical categories have shown remarkable improvement, as well. In the 15 team statistical categories acknowledged by the NCAA, the Cats rank in the top three of 12 categories, including #1 opponent hitting percentage (.180), #2 in assists per set (11.92), blocks per set (2.08), hitting percentage (.248), team assists (143), and team service aces (26) and #3 in digs per set (13.75), kills per set (12.58), match w/l (.667), team digs (165), team kills (151) and total team blocks (25.0).
A LENDING HAND: Former Bozeman High product and Montana Class AA state champion setter Allie Lynch opened her senior campaign averaging 4.50 assists per game running MSU's 6-2 offense last weekend at the Boise State Invitational. Lynch dished out a weekend-high 21 assists against the Broncos. She also averaged 1.83 digs per set, including a season-high ten saves against BSU. Sophomore Delaney Shearan also came up big in MSU's 6-2 system against Long Beach State last Friday morning. The Phoenix, Ariz., product in averaged 5.20 assists per contest as the Bobcats fell 3-2 to the 49ers. Last spring, Shearan dished out a season and career-high 33 assists in MSU 3-2 win over Idaho State on Feb. 20. Additionally, Shearan averaged 2.00 digs and .21 aces per set. True-freshman Audrey Hofer received the starting nod last weekend against Dixie State and Boise State. The Helena native averaged 6.14 assists per contest, including a weekend-best 26 assists in MSU's 3-1 win over Boise State. In addition, Hofer averaged 1.43 digs per set and had four aces.
MAY I ASSIST YOU?: Senior 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. Allie Lynch, 2017--- 1,791
7. Marsha Dirks, 1985-87 1,785
8. Katie Harrington, 2014-15 1,779
9. Stacey Nielsen, 1987-89 1,735
10. Christi Ryan, 1984-85 1,497
THOMSEN TIME: Sophomore Kira Thomsen earned tournament MVP honors last weekend at the Boise State Invitational after posting a .337 attack mark and averaging 3.42 kills, 2.83 digs and .58 aces per set. The Parker, Colo., product was in double-digit kills in all three matches, including a weekend-best 15 kills in the season-opener against Long Beach State. She also notched a pair of double-digit dig matches, against LBS and Boise State, respectively. Thomsen currently ranks fifth in the Big Sky Conference in kills (3.42 kps) and sixth in aces (.58). Last spring, Thomsen earned First-Team All-Big Sky Conference honors after averaging 3.52 kills and 4.02 points per set during MSU's spring season. She registered a season-best 22 kills at Weber State on March 20, and a season-high 26 digs against Portland State on Feb.27.
PENCE POWER: Sophomore middle blocker Emma Pence, who was one of two players in the league that garnered #BigSkyVB Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week accolades during spring action, averaged 1.33 kills and 1.50 blocks per set at the Boise State Invitational, last weekend. In the season opener against Long Beach State, Pence posted six kills and seven blocks. Against Boise State, the Carson City, Nevada product recorded five kills and matched a career-high with nine block assists. She currently ranks first in the Big Sky averaging 1.50 blocks per set, which ranks 51st in the nation. Pence's 18 total blocks ranks #15 in the country. Last spring, Pence was a First-Team All-Big Sky honoree.
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS: Jourdain Klein, a 6-1 outside hitter from Ennis, Mont., averaged 1.17 kills and .75 blocks per set at the Boise State Invitational, last weekend. Klein notched a weekend-high seven kills in MSU's win over Boise State, while hitting .429 (7-1-14) and adding four blocks. Last spring, as a redshirt-freshman, Klein was named to the Second-Team All-Big Sky Conference team after averaging 1.49 kills and .97 blocks per set, while hitting at a .197 clip. Klein's .97 bps ranked eighth in the league and was 212th in the nation. During spring ball, she recorded a season and career-high 14 kills as the Bobcats defeated Portland State on Feb. 28. Klein tallied a season-high eight blocks assists in MSU's season-opening win at Northern Colorado.
WHEN IT SAYS LIBBY, LIBBY, LIBBY: Senior libero Libby Christensen saw action in two matches and nine sets last weekend at the Boise State Invitational. The product of Vacaville, Calif., recorded 17 digs in the season-opener against Long Beach State and completed the weekend with 19 saves as the Bobcats defeated BSU 3-1 in Bronco Gym. On the season, she is averaging 4.00 digs per set, which ranks third in the Big Sky Conference. Last spring, Christensen averaged 4.19 digs per set, recording six double-digit digs matches, including a career-high 27 saves as the Bobcats dropped a 3-2 decision to Southern Utah in quarterfinal action of the Big Sky Conference Tournament on March 31.
TURNING THE TIDE: Sophomore Avery Turnage had a solid season-opening weekend for the Bobcats at the Boise State Invitational. The native of Idaho Falls, Idaho averaged 2.00 kills and 1.00 blocks with a .207 attack mark. She had her best match of the weekend with eight kills and seven blocks against Boise State. Turnage also notched a career-best 10 kills in the season-opener against Long Beach State. Her 1.00 bps ranks ninth in the Big Sky.
MORE FROM THE MIDDLE: True-freshman Jordan Radick and sophomore Kaycee O'Dell combined to average 1.67 kills per set with a .304 attack mark at the middle blocking spot during the Boise State Invite. Radick, a graduate of Bozeman High, played in two matches, hitting .370. She had nine kills and three blocks against Boise State. O'Dell, a product of Glendale, Ariz., added six kills, two blocks and a .211 attack mark vs. Long Beach State.
PRESEASON PREDICTION: MSU's progress has been noticed by its Big Sky peers, as the Cats were tabbed fourth in the 2021 Big Sky Coaches' poll. Montana State returns all but three players from a team that posted a 10-4 regular season mark that featured all Big Sky opponents. The Big Sky record was the Bobcats' best league finish since 2004. MSU advanced to the Big Sky Tournament for the third consecutive season. Weber State was picked as a favorite to repeat as Big Sky champions earning 10 first-place votes and 100 points. Northern Arizona was selected second with 86 points and received Weber State's first-place vote. Northern Colorado (83) finished behind NAU in third among the coach's votes. The Cats (73) ranked ahead of Sacramento State (67), Portland State (50), Southern Utah (38), Idaho (38), Eastern Washington (36), Idaho State (18) and Montana (16).
Players Mentioned
L
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB/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
