Early Bobcat Miscues Prove Costly

Saturday, October 21

Sacramento, CA

2 p.m. (MT)

Montana State University

13-6,6-3Big Sky

Sacramento State

15-8,8-1Big Sky

Montana St.

Sacramento St.

Photo by: Courtesy Sacramento State Sports Information

10/21/2023 5:44:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

“When you play a good team like Sacramento State the margin for error is thin,” said MSU head coach Matt Houk. “We have to learn to be better in the moment and how to operate from the front.”

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State was not able to overcome its attack and serving errors in the opening two sets as Big Sky-leading Sacramento State handed the Bobcats a 25-22, 25-19, 22-25, 22-13 setback at The Nest on Saturday afternoon.

Montana State (13-6, 6-3) committed thirteen hitting miscues and ten service errors in the first two sets. MSU played even with Sacramento State (15-8, 8-1) until the midway mark of both sets before the Hornets pulled away with a 7-0 run in the first set and a 7-1 stretch in the second frame.

"When you play a good team like Sacramento State the margin for error is thin," said MSU head coach Matt Houk. "We have to learn to be better in the moment and how to operate from the front."

The Bobcats were able to overcome a 19-12 deficit in the third set to even the game at 22-all. MSU received a block from Emma Pence and Jourdain Kamps, a kill via Madilyn Siebler and a Hornet attack error to capture the set.

"It was an interesting third set," Houk said. "We reduced our errors and were able to put together a good run. Now, we have to learn how to sustain that level of play over a longer period of time."

Sacramento State turned the table in the fourth set, outhitting the Bobcats .353 to .069 to cruise to the victory.

MSU was led by Kira Thomsen with 17 kills, three aces and six digs, while Siebler also reached double-figure kills with ten. Shayla Webber came off the bench to post three aces, while Lauren Lindseth anchored the back row with 18 digs. Kamps and Camryn Greenwald paced the Cats at the net with five blocks apiece.

Montana State hosts Montana on Friday night at 7 p.m. in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.