Thursday, September 30
BOZEMAN
7 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Weber State
Photo by: Jack Murrey
Bobcats Happy to be Home
9/29/2021 4:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Bobcat volleyball team will open its 2021 home Big Sky Conference season when it hosts defending league champion Weber State on Thursday night at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym. The Bobcats will close out the weekend with Idaho State on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym.
WHO: Weber State at Montana State
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bozeman, Mont. - Shroyer Gym
RECORDS: Montana St. 5-8, 1-1; Weber State 7-5, 2-0
SERIES: Weber State leads series 39-37 (Sept. 26, 1979)
LAST MTG: March 21, 2021 - @Weber St. 3, Montana St. 0
WHO: Idaho State at Montana State
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bozeman, Mont. - Shroyer Gym
RECORDS: Montana St. 5-8, 1-1; Idaho State 5-9, 1-1
SERIES: Idaho State leads series 41-36 (Sept. 23, 1978)
LAST MTG: Feb. 21, 2021 - @Montana State 3, Idaho State 2
LIVE STATS: Live statistics of MSU's matches with Weber State and Idaho State can be accessed at msubobcats.com
LIVE VIDEO: MSU's matches against Weber State and Idaho State will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription necessary).
NEXT UP: The Bobcat volleyball team will open its 2021 home Big Sky Conference season when it hosts defending league champion Weber State on Thursday night at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym. The Bobcats will close out the weekend with Idaho State on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym.
BIG SKY CONFERENCE HOME OPENERS: Since the inception of the Big Sky Conference for women in the fall of 1988, Montana State is 14-20 in league openers. During that span, the Bobcats are 17-16 in Big Sky home openers, and 3-2 in home openers under head coach Daniel Jones. Jones' last Big Sky home-opening victory came on Oct. 3, 2019 as the Bobcats defeated Idaho 3-1.
BOBCAT BITES: Montana State opened league play going 1-1, including a 3-0 victory at Montana on Tuesday, Sept. 21...the win in Dahlberg Arena was the fourth consecutive Bobcat victory on Montana's home court...MSU captured the Main Line Trophy for the third straight time, all in Missoula...The Bobcats have won seven of the last nine meetings with its in-state rival...freshman Jordan Radick paced MSU against the Griz with eight kills, a .467 attack mark and four blocks...MSU held a commanding 12-5 advantage in blocks at Montana...Emma Pence recorded a match-high eight blocks, while Avery Turnage added five...Montana State fell at Northern Colorado on Saturday in straight sets - 25-19, 25-19, 25-21...UNC holds a 31-4 lead in its all-time series with the Bobcats...Hannah Scott guided MSU with a team-high nine kills, while adding five digs...Radick finished the match against the Bears with eight kills, a .400 attack mark and one block...Radick and Pence were MSU's nominees for offensive and defensive players of the week.
SIDE OUTS:
* MSU is 1-4 in five setters with two losses to Power 5 schools - Arkansas & #7 Washington
* Hannah Scott now has 1,092 career kills, which ranks 10th all-time at Montana State
* Jordan Radick averaged 2.67 kills and .83 blocks per set, while hitting .433 last week
* The Cats rank #2 in the Big Sky & #79 in the nation averaging 2.31 blocks per set
* MSU ranks #3 in the Big Sky and #43 in the country in total team blocks (120)
* Montana State ranks #2 in the Big Sky and #125 in the country in hitting percentage (.219)
* The Bobcats rank #3 in the Big Sky and #109 in the nation with 574 team assists
* Freshman Jordan Radick is #4 in the Big Sky and #159 in the nation, averaging 1.07 bps
* Sophomore Emma Pence is #1 in the Big Sky and #51 in the nation, averaging 1.27 bps
* Pence's 62 total blocks rank #1 in the Big Sky and #27 in the country this week
THE SCOUTING REPORT: Weber State is 7-5 overall and 2-0 in Big Sky Conference play after defeating Portland State (3-1) and Sacramento State (3-1) in Ogden, Utah, last week. In its win over Portland State, the Wildcats were led by Dani Nay, a 5-10 sophomore outside hitter from Nampa, Idaho with 13 kills, while Rylin Adams, a 5-9 senior outside hitter from Lehi, Utah, and Sam Schiess, a 6-1 senior middle blocker from Ogden, Utah, added 11 and 10, respectively. For the match, WSU hit .236 from the field and held a 12-4 advantage from the service line. Against, Sacramento State, Adams, the reigning Big Sky Conference MVP, pounded down 23 kills and added 12 digs, while Baylee Bodily, a 5-11 freshman middle blocker from Draper, Utah, added seven kills and a .700 attack mark. WSU posted a team.233 attack mark and held a 10-3 margin from the service line. The Wildcats lead the Big Sky in aces per set (1.98) and team service aces (93). Individually, Nay leads the league averaging .72 aces per contest, while Adams leads the Big Sky in kills per set (4.00), total kills (188) and points per set (4.48). On the season, WSU has been paced by Adams and Nay at 4.00 and 3.47 kills, respectively. Idaho State is 5-9 overall and 1-1 in league play after defeating Sacramento State (3-2) before falling to Portland State (3-1). In its five-set win over Sacramento State the Bengals were led by Kennedee Tracy, a 5-9 sophomore outside hitter from Burley, Idaho, with 15 kills and seven digs, while Kaia Rhodes, a 6-foot senior middle blocker from Las Vegas, added six kills, a .500 attack mark and a team-high nine blocks. For the match, ISU outhit the Hornets .184 to .082 and held a commanding 18-6 advantage in blocks. In its loss to Portland State, the Bengals were paced by Jamie Streit, a 5-9 junior outside hitter from Pinedale, Wyoming with 11 kills and 11 digs, while Rhodes chipped in nine kills, a .316 attack mark and three blocks. On the season, ISU has been led by Streit and Sadie Bluth, a 5-10 freshman outside hitter from Mesa, Arizona at 2.87 and 2.48 kills per set, respectively.
HARD BLOCK CAFE: Montana State is ranked second in the Big Sky Conference averaging 2.31 blocks per set. MSU's 2.31 bps also ranks #80 in the nation. The Bobcats' 105 total blocks is third in the conference and #43 in the nation this week. Individually, sophomore Emma Pence leads the Big Sky averaging 1.27 blocks per contest. That number ranks #50 in the country. Freshman Jordan Radick is third the league averaging 1.07 blocks per set, which ranks #161 in the country. Montana State had a season-best 18 team blocks in its match with Arkansas on Sept. 2 at the Bobcat Classic.
GREAT SCOTT: Senior Hannah Scott went over the 1,000-kill mark with her fourth block against Portland on Sept. 3. The Hawthorne, Calif, product is now the 16th member of MSU's prestigious 1000-kill club. Her 1,092 career kills rank 10th on Montana State's all-time kills' chart. On the season, she is averaging 2.90 kills per set. Last weekend, Scott averaged 2.83 kills and 1.50 digs per set, while hitting .217 from the field. Her best match of the weekend came against Montana with eight kills, a .250 attack mark and four digs. Scott's best performance of the season came against #7 Washington on Sept. 16 as she was nearly unstoppable recording a match and season-high 17 kills, while hitting .400 (17-3-35) from the floor. In addition, Scott added nine digs, five blocks and an ace as the Bobcats almost pulled the upset over the Huskies. Scott was named to the Boise State All-Tournament team to open this season. She has been in double-figure kills in eight-of-13 matches. Scott is currently first on the squad with 166.5 points on the season. During the spring season, Scott had a breakout campaign which culminated in being named to the all-Big Sky Conference First-Team as she averaged 2.89 kills per set, while hitting .232 from the floor. Scott posted a career-high 25 kills against Idaho State on Feb. 20. In addition, 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 against Portland State on Feb. 28. Scott recorded a career-high 10 blocks against Northern Colorado at the league tournament 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 in four categories, including #2 in blocks per set (2.31) and hitting percentage (.219), and #3 in team assists (574) and total blocks (120).
A LENDING HAND: Former Bozeman High product and Montana Class AA state champion setter Allie Lynch is averaging 4.29 assists per game running MSU's 6-2 offense. At the Bobcat Classic in early September, she played in eight sets and averaged 4.29 assists and .63 digs per set. Lynch dished out a season-high 22 assists against Arkansas. On the season, she is also averaging 1.51 digs per set, including a season-best 10 saves against Boise State. True-freshman Audrey Hofer has started eight times, including last week as the Bobcats opened its Big Sky slate. Over the course of the two matches, she averaged 5.17 assists and 1.33 digs per set. In MSU's 3-0 win over Montana, Hofer dished out 15 assists and added four digs. The Helena Capital grad dished out a season-high 28 assists at North Texas and registered a career-high 11 digs against the Mean Green. On the season, Hofer is averaging 5.27 assists per set, which ranks ninth in the Big Sky Conference. Hofer also chips in 1.49 digs per set. She registered one double-double this season and is currently second on the team with 10 aces. Sophomore Delaney Shearan is averaging 4.56 assists and 1.60 digs per set on the season. Shearan dished out a season-high 26 against Long Beach State in the first match of the season. Last spring, Shearan dished out a season and career-high 33 assists in MSU 3-2 win over Idaho State on Feb. 20.
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. Allie Lynch, 2017--- 1,897
6. Kira Laden, 1995-96 1,893
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 at the Boise State Invitational to open the season after posting a .337 attack mark and averaging 3.42 kills, 2.83 digs and .58 aces per set. At the Bobcat Classic, the Parker, Colo., product averaged 3.00 kills and 1.64 digs per set with a .260 attack mark. And, at the North Texas Challenge, she averaged 2.55 kills and 1.18 digs per game. In two matches last week, Thomsen totaled 11 kills and 11 digs. On the season, she has been in double-figure kills on seven occasions and has produced two double-doubles. She tallied a season-best 18 kills in MSU's 3-1 loss to Portland. Thomsen currently ranks second on the team with 141 kills (2.71 kps) and is third in digs with 93 (1.79 dps). Her 160 points is second to Hannah Scott (166.5). 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 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, is averaging 1.33 kills and 1.27 blocks per set, while hitting .175 from the field this fall. Pence currently ranks first in the Big sky in blocks per set, which ranks 50th in the nation. Pence's 62 total blocks ranks 30th in the country. She has been in double-figure kills twice, including a season-best 11 kills against Arkansas. She registered a season-high nine blocks against Boise State in late August. Last weekend, the Carson City, Nevada product averaged .83 kills and 1.67 blocks per set, including an impressive eight blocks against Montana to help the Bobcats win the Main Line Trophy in Missoula.
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS: Jourdain Klein, a 6-1 outside hitter from Ennis, Mont., combined for 12 kills, two blocks, eight digs and two aces, while hitting .391 (12-3-23) from the field last week in matches at Montana and Northern Colorado. At the North Texas Challenge three weeks ago, Klein had a very efficient tournament hitting, recording a .444 (17-1-36) attack for the three matches. Her best outing came against North Texas as she registered seven kills, a .500 attack mark and three 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. She tallied a season-high eight blocks against Arkansas. During spring ball, she recorded a season and career-high 14 kills as the Bobcats defeated Portland State on Feb. 28.
WHEN IT SAYS LIBBY, LIBBY, LIBBY: Senior libero Libby Christensen is averaging 2.78 digs per set. She has been in double-digit digs on five occasions this fall, including a season-best 19 digs at Boise State on Aug. 28. 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 at the Big Sky Tourney.
TURN UP THE VOLUME: Sophomore Avery Turnage played in five sets last week against Montana and Northern Colorado and averaged 1.00 kills and 1.20 blocks per set. She had her best match of the week at Montana posting five kills and five blocks. The product of Idaho Falls, Idaho registered a career-high leading MSU with 11 kills against Fresno State. On the season, she is averaging 1.65 kills and .84 blocks per set, while hitting .213 from the floor. Turnage notched a career-high seven blocks as Montana State upset Boise State on Aug. 28 in Bronco Gym.
MORE FROM THE MIDDLE: Freshman Jordan Radick had an outstanding opening week of Big Sky action posting 16 kills (2.67) and five blocks (.83 bps), while hitting a team-high .433 (16-3-30) against Montana and Northern Colorado. Radick, a graduate of Bozeman High, had eight kills in each match and hit over .400 in each match. She posted a season-best 10 kills, twice, and had 12 blocks vs. Arkansas.
YES, WE'RE SURE:
True-freshman Maci Abshier (Ab-sure) has started the last five matches as MSU's libero and is averaging 2.76 dps.
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bozeman, Mont. - Shroyer Gym
RECORDS: Montana St. 5-8, 1-1; Weber State 7-5, 2-0
SERIES: Weber State leads series 39-37 (Sept. 26, 1979)
LAST MTG: March 21, 2021 - @Weber St. 3, Montana St. 0
WHO: Idaho State at Montana State
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bozeman, Mont. - Shroyer Gym
RECORDS: Montana St. 5-8, 1-1; Idaho State 5-9, 1-1
SERIES: Idaho State leads series 41-36 (Sept. 23, 1978)
LAST MTG: Feb. 21, 2021 - @Montana State 3, Idaho State 2
LIVE STATS: Live statistics of MSU's matches with Weber State and Idaho State can be accessed at msubobcats.com
LIVE VIDEO: MSU's matches against Weber State and Idaho State will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription necessary).
NEXT UP: The Bobcat volleyball team will open its 2021 home Big Sky Conference season when it hosts defending league champion Weber State on Thursday night at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym. The Bobcats will close out the weekend with Idaho State on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym.
BIG SKY CONFERENCE HOME OPENERS: Since the inception of the Big Sky Conference for women in the fall of 1988, Montana State is 14-20 in league openers. During that span, the Bobcats are 17-16 in Big Sky home openers, and 3-2 in home openers under head coach Daniel Jones. Jones' last Big Sky home-opening victory came on Oct. 3, 2019 as the Bobcats defeated Idaho 3-1.
BOBCAT BITES: Montana State opened league play going 1-1, including a 3-0 victory at Montana on Tuesday, Sept. 21...the win in Dahlberg Arena was the fourth consecutive Bobcat victory on Montana's home court...MSU captured the Main Line Trophy for the third straight time, all in Missoula...The Bobcats have won seven of the last nine meetings with its in-state rival...freshman Jordan Radick paced MSU against the Griz with eight kills, a .467 attack mark and four blocks...MSU held a commanding 12-5 advantage in blocks at Montana...Emma Pence recorded a match-high eight blocks, while Avery Turnage added five...Montana State fell at Northern Colorado on Saturday in straight sets - 25-19, 25-19, 25-21...UNC holds a 31-4 lead in its all-time series with the Bobcats...Hannah Scott guided MSU with a team-high nine kills, while adding five digs...Radick finished the match against the Bears with eight kills, a .400 attack mark and one block...Radick and Pence were MSU's nominees for offensive and defensive players of the week.
SIDE OUTS:
* MSU is 1-4 in five setters with two losses to Power 5 schools - Arkansas & #7 Washington
* Hannah Scott now has 1,092 career kills, which ranks 10th all-time at Montana State
* Jordan Radick averaged 2.67 kills and .83 blocks per set, while hitting .433 last week
* The Cats rank #2 in the Big Sky & #79 in the nation averaging 2.31 blocks per set
* MSU ranks #3 in the Big Sky and #43 in the country in total team blocks (120)
* Montana State ranks #2 in the Big Sky and #125 in the country in hitting percentage (.219)
* The Bobcats rank #3 in the Big Sky and #109 in the nation with 574 team assists
* Freshman Jordan Radick is #4 in the Big Sky and #159 in the nation, averaging 1.07 bps
* Sophomore Emma Pence is #1 in the Big Sky and #51 in the nation, averaging 1.27 bps
* Pence's 62 total blocks rank #1 in the Big Sky and #27 in the country this week
THE SCOUTING REPORT: Weber State is 7-5 overall and 2-0 in Big Sky Conference play after defeating Portland State (3-1) and Sacramento State (3-1) in Ogden, Utah, last week. In its win over Portland State, the Wildcats were led by Dani Nay, a 5-10 sophomore outside hitter from Nampa, Idaho with 13 kills, while Rylin Adams, a 5-9 senior outside hitter from Lehi, Utah, and Sam Schiess, a 6-1 senior middle blocker from Ogden, Utah, added 11 and 10, respectively. For the match, WSU hit .236 from the field and held a 12-4 advantage from the service line. Against, Sacramento State, Adams, the reigning Big Sky Conference MVP, pounded down 23 kills and added 12 digs, while Baylee Bodily, a 5-11 freshman middle blocker from Draper, Utah, added seven kills and a .700 attack mark. WSU posted a team.233 attack mark and held a 10-3 margin from the service line. The Wildcats lead the Big Sky in aces per set (1.98) and team service aces (93). Individually, Nay leads the league averaging .72 aces per contest, while Adams leads the Big Sky in kills per set (4.00), total kills (188) and points per set (4.48). On the season, WSU has been paced by Adams and Nay at 4.00 and 3.47 kills, respectively. Idaho State is 5-9 overall and 1-1 in league play after defeating Sacramento State (3-2) before falling to Portland State (3-1). In its five-set win over Sacramento State the Bengals were led by Kennedee Tracy, a 5-9 sophomore outside hitter from Burley, Idaho, with 15 kills and seven digs, while Kaia Rhodes, a 6-foot senior middle blocker from Las Vegas, added six kills, a .500 attack mark and a team-high nine blocks. For the match, ISU outhit the Hornets .184 to .082 and held a commanding 18-6 advantage in blocks. In its loss to Portland State, the Bengals were paced by Jamie Streit, a 5-9 junior outside hitter from Pinedale, Wyoming with 11 kills and 11 digs, while Rhodes chipped in nine kills, a .316 attack mark and three blocks. On the season, ISU has been led by Streit and Sadie Bluth, a 5-10 freshman outside hitter from Mesa, Arizona at 2.87 and 2.48 kills per set, respectively.
HARD BLOCK CAFE: Montana State is ranked second in the Big Sky Conference averaging 2.31 blocks per set. MSU's 2.31 bps also ranks #80 in the nation. The Bobcats' 105 total blocks is third in the conference and #43 in the nation this week. Individually, sophomore Emma Pence leads the Big Sky averaging 1.27 blocks per contest. That number ranks #50 in the country. Freshman Jordan Radick is third the league averaging 1.07 blocks per set, which ranks #161 in the country. Montana State had a season-best 18 team blocks in its match with Arkansas on Sept. 2 at the Bobcat Classic.
GREAT SCOTT: Senior Hannah Scott went over the 1,000-kill mark with her fourth block against Portland on Sept. 3. The Hawthorne, Calif, product is now the 16th member of MSU's prestigious 1000-kill club. Her 1,092 career kills rank 10th on Montana State's all-time kills' chart. On the season, she is averaging 2.90 kills per set. Last weekend, Scott averaged 2.83 kills and 1.50 digs per set, while hitting .217 from the field. Her best match of the weekend came against Montana with eight kills, a .250 attack mark and four digs. Scott's best performance of the season came against #7 Washington on Sept. 16 as she was nearly unstoppable recording a match and season-high 17 kills, while hitting .400 (17-3-35) from the floor. In addition, Scott added nine digs, five blocks and an ace as the Bobcats almost pulled the upset over the Huskies. Scott was named to the Boise State All-Tournament team to open this season. She has been in double-figure kills in eight-of-13 matches. Scott is currently first on the squad with 166.5 points on the season. During the spring season, Scott had a breakout campaign which culminated in being named to the all-Big Sky Conference First-Team as she averaged 2.89 kills per set, while hitting .232 from the floor. Scott posted a career-high 25 kills against Idaho State on Feb. 20. In addition, 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 against Portland State on Feb. 28. Scott recorded a career-high 10 blocks against Northern Colorado at the league tournament 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 in four categories, including #2 in blocks per set (2.31) and hitting percentage (.219), and #3 in team assists (574) and total blocks (120).
A LENDING HAND: Former Bozeman High product and Montana Class AA state champion setter Allie Lynch is averaging 4.29 assists per game running MSU's 6-2 offense. At the Bobcat Classic in early September, she played in eight sets and averaged 4.29 assists and .63 digs per set. Lynch dished out a season-high 22 assists against Arkansas. On the season, she is also averaging 1.51 digs per set, including a season-best 10 saves against Boise State. True-freshman Audrey Hofer has started eight times, including last week as the Bobcats opened its Big Sky slate. Over the course of the two matches, she averaged 5.17 assists and 1.33 digs per set. In MSU's 3-0 win over Montana, Hofer dished out 15 assists and added four digs. The Helena Capital grad dished out a season-high 28 assists at North Texas and registered a career-high 11 digs against the Mean Green. On the season, Hofer is averaging 5.27 assists per set, which ranks ninth in the Big Sky Conference. Hofer also chips in 1.49 digs per set. She registered one double-double this season and is currently second on the team with 10 aces. Sophomore Delaney Shearan is averaging 4.56 assists and 1.60 digs per set on the season. Shearan dished out a season-high 26 against Long Beach State in the first match of the season. Last spring, Shearan dished out a season and career-high 33 assists in MSU 3-2 win over Idaho State on Feb. 20.
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. Allie Lynch, 2017--- 1,897
6. Kira Laden, 1995-96 1,893
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 at the Boise State Invitational to open the season after posting a .337 attack mark and averaging 3.42 kills, 2.83 digs and .58 aces per set. At the Bobcat Classic, the Parker, Colo., product averaged 3.00 kills and 1.64 digs per set with a .260 attack mark. And, at the North Texas Challenge, she averaged 2.55 kills and 1.18 digs per game. In two matches last week, Thomsen totaled 11 kills and 11 digs. On the season, she has been in double-figure kills on seven occasions and has produced two double-doubles. She tallied a season-best 18 kills in MSU's 3-1 loss to Portland. Thomsen currently ranks second on the team with 141 kills (2.71 kps) and is third in digs with 93 (1.79 dps). Her 160 points is second to Hannah Scott (166.5). 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 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, is averaging 1.33 kills and 1.27 blocks per set, while hitting .175 from the field this fall. Pence currently ranks first in the Big sky in blocks per set, which ranks 50th in the nation. Pence's 62 total blocks ranks 30th in the country. She has been in double-figure kills twice, including a season-best 11 kills against Arkansas. She registered a season-high nine blocks against Boise State in late August. Last weekend, the Carson City, Nevada product averaged .83 kills and 1.67 blocks per set, including an impressive eight blocks against Montana to help the Bobcats win the Main Line Trophy in Missoula.
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS: Jourdain Klein, a 6-1 outside hitter from Ennis, Mont., combined for 12 kills, two blocks, eight digs and two aces, while hitting .391 (12-3-23) from the field last week in matches at Montana and Northern Colorado. At the North Texas Challenge three weeks ago, Klein had a very efficient tournament hitting, recording a .444 (17-1-36) attack for the three matches. Her best outing came against North Texas as she registered seven kills, a .500 attack mark and three 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. She tallied a season-high eight blocks against Arkansas. During spring ball, she recorded a season and career-high 14 kills as the Bobcats defeated Portland State on Feb. 28.
WHEN IT SAYS LIBBY, LIBBY, LIBBY: Senior libero Libby Christensen is averaging 2.78 digs per set. She has been in double-digit digs on five occasions this fall, including a season-best 19 digs at Boise State on Aug. 28. 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 at the Big Sky Tourney.
TURN UP THE VOLUME: Sophomore Avery Turnage played in five sets last week against Montana and Northern Colorado and averaged 1.00 kills and 1.20 blocks per set. She had her best match of the week at Montana posting five kills and five blocks. The product of Idaho Falls, Idaho registered a career-high leading MSU with 11 kills against Fresno State. On the season, she is averaging 1.65 kills and .84 blocks per set, while hitting .213 from the floor. Turnage notched a career-high seven blocks as Montana State upset Boise State on Aug. 28 in Bronco Gym.
MORE FROM THE MIDDLE: Freshman Jordan Radick had an outstanding opening week of Big Sky action posting 16 kills (2.67) and five blocks (.83 bps), while hitting a team-high .433 (16-3-30) against Montana and Northern Colorado. Radick, a graduate of Bozeman High, had eight kills in each match and hit over .400 in each match. She posted a season-best 10 kills, twice, and had 12 blocks vs. Arkansas.
YES, WE'RE SURE:
True-freshman Maci Abshier (Ab-sure) has started the last five matches as MSU's libero and is averaging 2.76 dps.
Players Mentioned
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