Bobcats Stand Tall in Win over Eastern Washington

Thursday, October 12

BOZEMAN

7 p.m.

Montana State University

12-4,5-1Big Sky

Eastern Washington

8-11,2-5Big Sky

Eastern Wash.

Montana St.

Setter Nellie Stevenson (23) and the Bobcats celebrate a point against Eastern Washington on Thursday night in Shroyer Gym.

Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services

10/12/2023 10:32:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

“We withstood it,” Houk said. “We stood tall; we hung in there. Eastern challenged us the entire way and nothing came easy.”

By: Tom Schulz

On a night when its offense struggled finding ways to score, Montana State relied on its defense for more swing opportunities which ultimately led to a 25-21, 18-25, 25-18, 25-21 win over Eastern Washington, Thursday night in Shroyer Gym.

"The message to the team after the match was, first, we celebrate all wins," said head coach Matt Houk. "They don't come easy. And you should never take them for granted. That wasn't the prettiest volleyball match that we've ever played, but I do think good teams, in my history in this sport, find ways to win when they're not playing well."

Montana State (12-4, 5-1) outhit Eastern Washington (8-11, 2-5) .092 to .060 as both teams recorded 33 hitting errors. MSU struggled with the Eagles' block, while EWU was knocked out of system by the Bobcat serve.

"We weren't clicking and were having a hard time finding rhythm, but in the crucial moments we made plays when we needed to make plays," Houk said. "We were able to dig a lot of balls and I was happy with us from the service line. Not only did we serve it in a lot, but I did think we knocked them out of system, just enough."

Eastern Washington held a 14-9 advantage in blocking, while MSU committed just three service errors to eight for the Eagles.

"Their block was great," Houk said. "Not only were they technically quite sound but they got into really good spaces against our hitters, and we didn't make the adjustments that we were hoping we were going to make.

"Kudos to Eastern Washington," he added. "I thought we took some really good swings that they popped up."

MSU libero Lauren Lindseth and junior Courtney Weatherby provided the spark the Bobcats needed defensively, registering 23 and 11 digs, respectively.

"Lauren and Courtney really anchored the defense and gave us those transition opportunities that we needed," Houk said. "And again, on a night when you're not clicking offensively, you really need more swing opportunities."

Offensively, senior Kira Thomsen guided MSU with a match-high 15 kills. She also added 11 digs for her seventh double-double of the season. Ennis product Jourdain Kamps finished with nine kills and six blocks, while Camryn Greenwald chipped in eight kills and three blocks. Setter Nellie Stevenson dished out 32 assists and added eight digs, four kills, two blocks and an ace.

"We withstood it," Houk said. "We stood tall; we hung in there. Eastern challenged us the entire way and nothing came easy."

With the win, coupled by a Weber State victory over Sacramento (3-0), Montana State sits in a three-way tie atop the Big Sky Conference standings with the Wildcats and Hornets.

MSU hosts Idaho Saturday at 12 noon in its annual Pack the Place in Pink match in support of breast cancer awareness.