Thursday, October 12
BOZEMAN
7 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Eastern Washington
Libero Lauren Lindseth
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Cats Home for Two
10/11/2023 3:04:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
After opening its Big Sky season playing four of five on the road, the Bobcats return to the warm confines of Shroyer Gym for a pair of matches this week.
NEXT UP:
After opening its Big Sky season playing four of five on the road, the Bobcats return to the warm confines of Shroyer Gym for a pair of matches this week. MSU hosts Eastern Washington, Thursday at 7 p.m., and Idaho, Saturday, at 12 noon.
QUICK RESET:
Montana State was anything but a well-oiled machine for the first set and a half in its match at Northern Colorado on Saturday night in Bank of Colorado Arena. But then something clicked. An 11-1 run midway through the second set flipped the script and the Bobcats clawed their way back for a 15-25, 25-27, 25-22, 25-17, 15-11 win over the Bears. Jourdain Kamps led MSU with 17 kills, ten digs, five blocks and an ace, while Kira Thomsen chipped in 15 kills and nine digs. Also contributing was Camryn Greenwald with 10 kills and three blocks. Audrey Hofer dished out 35 assists and added two aces, 17 digs and two blocks. Lauren Lindseth reached double-digit digs with 14 saves. On Thursday, MSU overcame a slow opening set behind the stellar efforts of Thomsen and Kamps, en route to a 19-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22 win over Northern Arizona. Thomsen went over the 20-kill plateau for the first time in over a month. She also finished with a .305 attack mark and added 10 digs. Thomsen moved into third on MSU's all-time kills chart with 1,340. Kamps registered a season-high 18 kills, a .429 attack mark, 14 digs and a team-best six blocks. Nellie Stevenson dished out 38 assists and added two aces and 15 digs, while Lindseth and Courtney Weatherby finished with 17 and 14 saves, respectively. Emma Pence, who has been sidelined with injury, played in four of five sets, and recorded four kills, a .375 attack mark and four blocks.
CATS SWEEP WEEKLY AWARDS:
For the second time this season Montana State volleyball has swept the Big Sky Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors. Senior Kira Thomsen was named the offensive player of the week for the third time this fall, while junior Jourdain Kamps garnered defensive player of the week accolades.
RPI RANKINGS:
Northern Colorado (129) is the highest ranked Big Sky school in the most recent RPI listing. The Bears are followed by Weber State (150), Sacramento State (158), Montana State (164), Montana (172), Portland State (181), Northern Arizona (222), Eastern Washington (270), Idaho State (302), and Idaho (328).
SCOUTING REPORT:
Eastern Washington is 8-10 overall and 2-4 in Big Sky play. The Eagles are coming off its best win of the season as they knocked-off Portland State last Thursday night (25-18, 22-25, 25-13, 25-16) at Reese Court. EWU was led in the victory by Sage Brustad, who recorded a team-high 15 kills, while adding 10 digs. Sadie Bacon also contributed to the win with eight kills, a .467 attack mark and two blocks. Eastern Washington did most of its damage against the Vikings from the service line where it held a 15-2 advantage in service aces. On the season, EWU has been led by Brustad, a 6-1 senior outside hitter from Richland, Wash., who averages 3.79 kills and 4.53 points per set. She also leads EWU with 30 service aces. Idaho, who plays at Montana on Thursday, will see the Bobcat for the second time this season. MSU defeated UI in Moscow on Sept. 21 (25-23, 25-22, 25-15). Aubrey Nelson led the Vandals in the match with 11 kills.
SERVING NOTICE:
Montana State is fourth in the Big Sky Conference, averaging 1.68 aces per set. The number ranks 91st in the nation. Individually, Kira Thomsen is fourth in the league averaging .42 aces per set, which ranks 108th in the nation.
PACKING THE PLACE:
Montana State finished 39th in the nation averaging 1,292 fans per game, last fall. On Sept. 30, 2022, Montana State set a Big Sky Conference and State of Montana record when 6,457 fans jammed Worthington Arena. MSU's average attendance was higher than notable programs such as UCLA, LSU, and Notre Dame. The Cats are currently averaging 705 fans per match.
AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE:
Bobcat senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen is ranked first in the Big Sky Conference in attacks, averaging 11.32 swings per set. That number also ranks 15th in the nation. In addition, the product of Parker, Colorado is first in the Big Sky averaging 3.98 kills per set, which is the 39th best average in the country. Thomen's 4.54 points per set are tops in the Big Sky and rank 43rd overall.
AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE x2:
As a unit, the Bobcats lead the Big Sky Conference in attacks averaging 36.53 swings per set, which ranks 37th in the nation. MSU also paces the Big Sky averaging 13.12 kills per contest, which ranks 72nd in the country. In addition, the Bobcats are first in the Big Sky averaging 12.16 assists per contest, which ranks 72nd in the nation, as well. Tennessee leads the country averaging 14.89 kills per set.
WE GET THE POINT:
As a team, Montana State is third in the Big Sky Conference averaging 16.89 points per set. Senior Kira Thomsen leads the league, individually, at 4.54 pps.
GOTTA DIG IT:
MSU libero Lauren Lindseth ranks seventh in the Big Sky averaging 3.84 saves per game. Last week she totaled 31 (3.44) at Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado. On Aug. 31, Lindseth recorded a career-high 34 saves against St. Thomas (MN). Last season, she played in all 30 matches and 122 sets and was in double-digit digs in 22 matches, including a streak of 13 consecutive matches in double-figures. In addition, she went over the 20-dig plateau on nine occasions. Her 475 digs last fall ranks fifth in a single season at MSU. Lindseth earned All-Big Sky Tourney honors after averaging 3.56 digs in two matches, which included 24 digs in MSU's quarterfinal upset over Weber State. She also guided the Cats from the service line with a team-best 33 aces.
LINDSETH LEGACY:
Sophomore libero Lauren Lindseth is part of Bobcat history as one-half of the first mother/daughter duo to play volleyball at MSU. Lindseth's mother - Kelly Modrow (MOD-row) - played for the Blue and Gold from 1992-1996. The native of Minnetonka, Minn., (Hopkins HS) played in 110 matches and 359 sets. In all, Modrow's career totals include: 889 kills, 733 digs, 128 blocks and 87 service aces wearing the No. 2 jersey, as well.
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS:
Jourdain (Klein) Kamps is another Bobcat enjoying an outstanding season to date. She is averaging 2.96 kills per set, while hitting a team-best .295 from the floor. In addition, she is averaging 1.81 digs and .98 blocks per contest and has chipped in nine aces. The product of Ennis, Mont., has been in double-figure kills in 11 of 15 matches, including a season-best 18 kills at Northern Arizona, last Thursday. Against NAU and Northern Colorado, she registered 35 kills (3.89), a .309 attack mark, 24 digs (2.67) and a team-best 11 blocks (1.22). For her efforts, she was named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week. Kamps currently ranks eighth in the Big Sky with a .295 attack mark and is tenth in points (3.65 ppg). Kamps was a Second Team All-Big Sky pick in the spring of 2021 after averaging 1.49 kills and .97 blocks per set in the shortened 15-match season. Last year, she played in all 30 matches and 122 sets, totaling 242 kills (1.98 kps). She recorded a career-high 23 kills at Eastern Washington and had six matches hitting .300 or better. Kamps also posted 100 blocks, averaging .82 per contest. Kamps moved into eighth on Montana State's all-time block assists chart with a career total is 290.
TOUTING THOMSEN:
Senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen, a three-time all-Big Sky Conference selection, is having an impressive final season with the Bobcats. She currently leads the league in kills per set (3.98) and points (4.54). Thomsen's 2.44 digs per set is third on the Bobcat squad, while her .233 attack mark is third best. This season, Thomsen has been in double-digit kills in 12 of 15 matches, including a season-high 28 kills against St. Thomas (MN). She had a 19-match streak of double-figure kills dating back to Oct. 22, 2022, snapped after recording four against Cal on Sept. 15. Last season, Thomsen recorded a career-high 32 kills in MSU's 3-2 win over Portland State. Her 1,365 career kills rank third on MSU's all-time kills chart and her 3,942 total career attacks is the most all-time. Thomsen went over the 1,000-career digs mark against Nevada making her tenth member of MSU's 1,000-Dig Club. She is now just one of four players in Montana State history to record 1,000 kills/digs - joining Meggie Malyurek, Stephanie Laya, and Mindy Nowak. On Nov. 18, 2022, Thomsen was named the GameChanger/AVCA Division National Player of the Week (the first in MSU history) after averaging 6.0 kills and 6.4 points per set as MSU knocked off Portland State and Sacramento State. Last week, she totaled 39 kills (4.33), 19 digs, and hit .272, en route to being named BSC Offensive POW.
HARD BLOCK CAFE`:
Montana State averaged 17 blocks per match last week, led by Jourdain Kamps (11) and Camryn Greenwald (6). Senior Emma Pence came off the bench to chip in five blocks, including four against NAU. Kamps and middle blocker Jordan Radick rank eighth and tenth, respectively in the Big Sky, averaging .98 and .94 blocks per set. As a team, the Bobcats are ranked fifth in the Big Sky (2.09 bps).
LENDING A HAND:
Junior college transfer Nellie Stevenson is averaging 8.08 assists per set. Last week, the transfer from Feather River (CA) College dished out 45 assists and had two aces and 17 digs. Junior setter Audrey Hofer played in eight sets and notched 41 assists (5.13). The Helena Capital product also posted 19 digs (2.38) and added two aces and two blocks. Sophomore Nellie Reese saw action at the setting spot in two sets at Northern Colorado. As a team, the Bobcat setters rank first in the Big Sky Conference dishing out 12.16 assists per set.
A PARTING NOTE:
Kira Thomsen's 3,942 career attacks rank 18th in Big Sky Conference history.
After opening its Big Sky season playing four of five on the road, the Bobcats return to the warm confines of Shroyer Gym for a pair of matches this week. MSU hosts Eastern Washington, Thursday at 7 p.m., and Idaho, Saturday, at 12 noon.
QUICK RESET:
Montana State was anything but a well-oiled machine for the first set and a half in its match at Northern Colorado on Saturday night in Bank of Colorado Arena. But then something clicked. An 11-1 run midway through the second set flipped the script and the Bobcats clawed their way back for a 15-25, 25-27, 25-22, 25-17, 15-11 win over the Bears. Jourdain Kamps led MSU with 17 kills, ten digs, five blocks and an ace, while Kira Thomsen chipped in 15 kills and nine digs. Also contributing was Camryn Greenwald with 10 kills and three blocks. Audrey Hofer dished out 35 assists and added two aces, 17 digs and two blocks. Lauren Lindseth reached double-digit digs with 14 saves. On Thursday, MSU overcame a slow opening set behind the stellar efforts of Thomsen and Kamps, en route to a 19-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22 win over Northern Arizona. Thomsen went over the 20-kill plateau for the first time in over a month. She also finished with a .305 attack mark and added 10 digs. Thomsen moved into third on MSU's all-time kills chart with 1,340. Kamps registered a season-high 18 kills, a .429 attack mark, 14 digs and a team-best six blocks. Nellie Stevenson dished out 38 assists and added two aces and 15 digs, while Lindseth and Courtney Weatherby finished with 17 and 14 saves, respectively. Emma Pence, who has been sidelined with injury, played in four of five sets, and recorded four kills, a .375 attack mark and four blocks.
CATS SWEEP WEEKLY AWARDS:
For the second time this season Montana State volleyball has swept the Big Sky Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors. Senior Kira Thomsen was named the offensive player of the week for the third time this fall, while junior Jourdain Kamps garnered defensive player of the week accolades.
RPI RANKINGS:
Northern Colorado (129) is the highest ranked Big Sky school in the most recent RPI listing. The Bears are followed by Weber State (150), Sacramento State (158), Montana State (164), Montana (172), Portland State (181), Northern Arizona (222), Eastern Washington (270), Idaho State (302), and Idaho (328).
SCOUTING REPORT:
Eastern Washington is 8-10 overall and 2-4 in Big Sky play. The Eagles are coming off its best win of the season as they knocked-off Portland State last Thursday night (25-18, 22-25, 25-13, 25-16) at Reese Court. EWU was led in the victory by Sage Brustad, who recorded a team-high 15 kills, while adding 10 digs. Sadie Bacon also contributed to the win with eight kills, a .467 attack mark and two blocks. Eastern Washington did most of its damage against the Vikings from the service line where it held a 15-2 advantage in service aces. On the season, EWU has been led by Brustad, a 6-1 senior outside hitter from Richland, Wash., who averages 3.79 kills and 4.53 points per set. She also leads EWU with 30 service aces. Idaho, who plays at Montana on Thursday, will see the Bobcat for the second time this season. MSU defeated UI in Moscow on Sept. 21 (25-23, 25-22, 25-15). Aubrey Nelson led the Vandals in the match with 11 kills.
SERVING NOTICE:
Montana State is fourth in the Big Sky Conference, averaging 1.68 aces per set. The number ranks 91st in the nation. Individually, Kira Thomsen is fourth in the league averaging .42 aces per set, which ranks 108th in the nation.
PACKING THE PLACE:
Montana State finished 39th in the nation averaging 1,292 fans per game, last fall. On Sept. 30, 2022, Montana State set a Big Sky Conference and State of Montana record when 6,457 fans jammed Worthington Arena. MSU's average attendance was higher than notable programs such as UCLA, LSU, and Notre Dame. The Cats are currently averaging 705 fans per match.
AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE:
Bobcat senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen is ranked first in the Big Sky Conference in attacks, averaging 11.32 swings per set. That number also ranks 15th in the nation. In addition, the product of Parker, Colorado is first in the Big Sky averaging 3.98 kills per set, which is the 39th best average in the country. Thomen's 4.54 points per set are tops in the Big Sky and rank 43rd overall.
AMONG THE NATION'S ELITE x2:
As a unit, the Bobcats lead the Big Sky Conference in attacks averaging 36.53 swings per set, which ranks 37th in the nation. MSU also paces the Big Sky averaging 13.12 kills per contest, which ranks 72nd in the country. In addition, the Bobcats are first in the Big Sky averaging 12.16 assists per contest, which ranks 72nd in the nation, as well. Tennessee leads the country averaging 14.89 kills per set.
WE GET THE POINT:
As a team, Montana State is third in the Big Sky Conference averaging 16.89 points per set. Senior Kira Thomsen leads the league, individually, at 4.54 pps.
GOTTA DIG IT:
MSU libero Lauren Lindseth ranks seventh in the Big Sky averaging 3.84 saves per game. Last week she totaled 31 (3.44) at Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado. On Aug. 31, Lindseth recorded a career-high 34 saves against St. Thomas (MN). Last season, she played in all 30 matches and 122 sets and was in double-digit digs in 22 matches, including a streak of 13 consecutive matches in double-figures. In addition, she went over the 20-dig plateau on nine occasions. Her 475 digs last fall ranks fifth in a single season at MSU. Lindseth earned All-Big Sky Tourney honors after averaging 3.56 digs in two matches, which included 24 digs in MSU's quarterfinal upset over Weber State. She also guided the Cats from the service line with a team-best 33 aces.
LINDSETH LEGACY:
Sophomore libero Lauren Lindseth is part of Bobcat history as one-half of the first mother/daughter duo to play volleyball at MSU. Lindseth's mother - Kelly Modrow (MOD-row) - played for the Blue and Gold from 1992-1996. The native of Minnetonka, Minn., (Hopkins HS) played in 110 matches and 359 sets. In all, Modrow's career totals include: 889 kills, 733 digs, 128 blocks and 87 service aces wearing the No. 2 jersey, as well.
THE MENACE FROM ENNIS:
Jourdain (Klein) Kamps is another Bobcat enjoying an outstanding season to date. She is averaging 2.96 kills per set, while hitting a team-best .295 from the floor. In addition, she is averaging 1.81 digs and .98 blocks per contest and has chipped in nine aces. The product of Ennis, Mont., has been in double-figure kills in 11 of 15 matches, including a season-best 18 kills at Northern Arizona, last Thursday. Against NAU and Northern Colorado, she registered 35 kills (3.89), a .309 attack mark, 24 digs (2.67) and a team-best 11 blocks (1.22). For her efforts, she was named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week. Kamps currently ranks eighth in the Big Sky with a .295 attack mark and is tenth in points (3.65 ppg). Kamps was a Second Team All-Big Sky pick in the spring of 2021 after averaging 1.49 kills and .97 blocks per set in the shortened 15-match season. Last year, she played in all 30 matches and 122 sets, totaling 242 kills (1.98 kps). She recorded a career-high 23 kills at Eastern Washington and had six matches hitting .300 or better. Kamps also posted 100 blocks, averaging .82 per contest. Kamps moved into eighth on Montana State's all-time block assists chart with a career total is 290.
TOUTING THOMSEN:
Senior outside hitter Kira Thomsen, a three-time all-Big Sky Conference selection, is having an impressive final season with the Bobcats. She currently leads the league in kills per set (3.98) and points (4.54). Thomsen's 2.44 digs per set is third on the Bobcat squad, while her .233 attack mark is third best. This season, Thomsen has been in double-digit kills in 12 of 15 matches, including a season-high 28 kills against St. Thomas (MN). She had a 19-match streak of double-figure kills dating back to Oct. 22, 2022, snapped after recording four against Cal on Sept. 15. Last season, Thomsen recorded a career-high 32 kills in MSU's 3-2 win over Portland State. Her 1,365 career kills rank third on MSU's all-time kills chart and her 3,942 total career attacks is the most all-time. Thomsen went over the 1,000-career digs mark against Nevada making her tenth member of MSU's 1,000-Dig Club. She is now just one of four players in Montana State history to record 1,000 kills/digs - joining Meggie Malyurek, Stephanie Laya, and Mindy Nowak. On Nov. 18, 2022, Thomsen was named the GameChanger/AVCA Division National Player of the Week (the first in MSU history) after averaging 6.0 kills and 6.4 points per set as MSU knocked off Portland State and Sacramento State. Last week, she totaled 39 kills (4.33), 19 digs, and hit .272, en route to being named BSC Offensive POW.
HARD BLOCK CAFE`:
Montana State averaged 17 blocks per match last week, led by Jourdain Kamps (11) and Camryn Greenwald (6). Senior Emma Pence came off the bench to chip in five blocks, including four against NAU. Kamps and middle blocker Jordan Radick rank eighth and tenth, respectively in the Big Sky, averaging .98 and .94 blocks per set. As a team, the Bobcats are ranked fifth in the Big Sky (2.09 bps).
LENDING A HAND:
Junior college transfer Nellie Stevenson is averaging 8.08 assists per set. Last week, the transfer from Feather River (CA) College dished out 45 assists and had two aces and 17 digs. Junior setter Audrey Hofer played in eight sets and notched 41 assists (5.13). The Helena Capital product also posted 19 digs (2.38) and added two aces and two blocks. Sophomore Nellie Reese saw action at the setting spot in two sets at Northern Colorado. As a team, the Bobcat setters rank first in the Big Sky Conference dishing out 12.16 assists per set.
A PARTING NOTE:
Kira Thomsen's 3,942 career attacks rank 18th in Big Sky Conference history.
Players Mentioned
MB/OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
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